MUSCLES OF MASTICATION

CONTENTS:
 INTRODUCTION.
 DEFINITIONS.
 DEVELOPMENT.
 CLASSIFICATION.
 PRIMARY MUSCLES OF MASTICATION.
 ACCESSORY MUSCLES OF MASTICATION.
 MANDIBULAR MOVEMENTS AND ROLE PLAYED BY MUSCLES.
 INFLUENCE OF MUSCLES ON BORDER MOULDING & DENTURES.
 NEUTRAL ZONE.
 REVIEW OF LITARATURE.
 CONCLUSION.
 REFERENCES.
INTRODUCTION:
 Muscles of mastication are the group of muscles that help in movement of the
mandible during chewing and speech.
 We need to study these muscles as they control the opening & closing the
mouth & their role in the equilibrium created within the mouth.
 They also play a role in the configuration of face.
 Four pairs of the muscles in the mandible make chewing movement possible.
 These muscles along with accessory ones together are termed as “MUSCLES
OF MASTICATION”
 Influence of these muscles in prosthetic dentistry, defines the borders &
peripheral extensions.
 A good knowledge of masticatory system and functional efficiency is basic
requirement for good prosthodontist.
DEFINITIONS:
 MUSCLE: An organ that by contraction produces movements of an animal ; a
tissue composed of contractile cells or fibers that effect movement of an organ
or part of the body

-GTP 10.
 MASTICATION: The process of chewing food for swallowing and digestion

-GTP 10.
DEVELOPMENT:
• The muscular system develops from intra embryonic mesoderm from
embryonic cells called myoblast.
• Muscles of mastication are derived from first brachial arch that is mandibular
arch.
• 5th- 6th week - Primitive cells form and differentiate, Get oriented to site of
origin and insertion.
• 7th week - Mandibular arch mass enlarges, Cell migrate to areas of formation
of 4 major muscles of mastication, Cell differentiation occurs before formation
of facial arch.
• 10th week - Muscle mass is well organized & Nerve masses get incorporated

CLASSIFICATION:
 MUSCLES OF MASTICATION:
• PRIMARY MUSCLES:
Temporalis
Masseter
Medial pterygoid
Lateral pterygoid

• ACCESSORY MUSCLES:
Muscles of Tongue, Lip and Cheek
Supra hyoid muscles:
Mylohyoid
Geniohyoid
 Stylohyoid
Anterior belly of digastric
Infra hyoid muscles:
Sternothyroid
Thyrohyoid
Omohyoid
Sternohyoid

FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION:

JAW ELEVATORS:
Masseter
Temporalis
Medial pterygoid
JAW DEPRESSORS:
Lower head of lateral pterygoid
Anterior digastric
Geniohyoid
Mylohyoid
PRIMARY MUSCLES OF MASTICATION:
MASSETER MUSCLE:
 It is named after Greek word “masseter”- a chewer
 It is one of the most powerful muscles involved in the power stroke closure of
the mandible
 This is a quadrilateral muscle, partly tendinous, partly fleshy which covers the
lateral part of ramus of mandible.
 It consists of 3 layers which blend anteriorly.
• Superficial head
• Middle head
• Deep head
 ORIGIN:
 SUPERFICIAL LAYER (LARGEST):
 Maxillary process of zygomatic bone.
 Anterior 2/3rd of inferior border of zygomatic arch.
 MIDDLE LAYER:
 Medial aspect of anterior 2/3rd of zygomatic arch
 Lower border of posterior third of zygomatic arch
 DEEP LAYER:
 Deep surface of zygomatic arch
 INSERTION:
 SUPERFICIAL LAYER (LARGEST):
• Angle of mandible
• Lower posterior half of lateral surface of mandibular ramus
 MIDDLE LAYER:
• Middle part of the ramus of mandible
 DEEP LAYER:
• Upper part of mandibular ramus
• Coronoid process
• NERVE SUPPLY:
• Supplied by masseteric nerve a branch of anterior division of mandibular
nerve
• BLOOD SUPPLY:
• Supplied by masseteric artery branch of maxillary artery
• Venous drainage through masseteric vein
 FUNCTION:
• Elevates the mandible to close the mouth and to occlude the teeth in
mastication.
• Its activity in the resting position is minimal.
It has a small effect in side-to-side movement, protraction and retraction.
 PALPATION:
• The patient is asked to clench their teeth and, using both hands, the
practitioner palpates the masseter muscles on both sides extra orally, making
sure that the patient continues to clench during the procedure.
• Palpate the origin of the masseter bilaterally along the zygomatic arch and
continue to palpate down the body of the mandible where the masseter is
attached.

 PROSTHODONTIC CONSIDERATIONS:
• During border moulding, An active masseter muscle will create a concavity in
the outline of the distobuccal border called masseteric groove.
• In this area the buccal flange must converge medially to avoid displacement
due to contraction of the masseter muscle because the muscle fibers pushes
the buccinator medially against denture border in the area of retromolar pad
• This is a dislodging force and the denture base should be contoured to
accommodate this action
 EFFECT OF MASSETER MUSCLE ON THE DISTOBUCCAL BORDER:
• Moderate activity will create a straight line
• An active muscle will create a concavity.
• An inactive muscle will create a convexity.
 Activation of masseteric notch and distal area:
• Instruct the patient to open wide and then to close against the resting force of
fingers
• Opening wide activates the muscle of pterygomandibular raphe by stretching
which defines the most distal extension
• Instructing the patient to close against your fingers on the tray handle causes
masseter muscle to contract and push against the medially situated
buccinator muscle

TEMPORALIS MUSCLE:
 Is a Fan shaped muscle
 Its is largest masticatory muscle
 Located in Temporal fossa
 ORIGIN:
 Is from inferior temporal line
 Floor of the temporal fossa and
 From the overlying temporal fascia
 Divided into 3 areas:
• Anterior temporal
• Middle temporal
• Posterior temporal

 INSERTION:
 Margins & deep surface of the coronoid process
 Anterior border of ramus of mandible
 NERVE SUPPLY:
 Deep temporal branches from anterior division of mandibular nerve
 BLOOD SUPPLY:
 Superficial temporal artery branch of maxillary artery
 superficial temporal vein & middle temporal vein
 FUNCTION:
 Anterior fibers elevate the mandible
 Posterior fibers retract the mandible
 Crushing of food between the molars
 Posterior fibers draw the mandible backwards after it has been protruded
 It also contribute side to side grinding movement
 PALPATION:
 The muscle is divided into three functional areas and therefore each area is
independently palpated.
 To locate the muscle, have the patient clench.
  The anterior region is palpated above the zygomatic arch and anterior to the
TMJ.
 The middle region is palpated directly above the TMJ and superior to the
zygomatic arch.
 The posterior region is palpated above and behind the ear.

 PROSTHODONTIC CONSIDERATIONS:
• As its most posterior fibres pass very close to the condyle ,the posterior
temporalis function as a stabilizer of TMJ
• It suspends the mandible in centric relation
• Anterior group of fibres which are aligned vertically hold the mandible in
superior most position
• Temporal headaches are common in TMD’S
• The patient is instructed to close and move his mandible from side to side and
then immediately asked to open wide
• The side to side motion records the activity of the coronoid process in a
closed position whereas opening causes the coronoid to sweep past the
denture periphery
LATERAL PTERYGOID:
 Also called as external pterygoid muscle.
 It is a short ,thick, conical muscle with its apex pointing backwards
 It passes backwards and slightly laterally from roof and medial wall of fossa to
neck of mandible
 It has two heads:
• Superior head
• Inferior head
 ORIGIN:
 Superior head:
• Infratemporal surface & infratemporal crest of the greater wing of the
sphenoid bone.
• Inferior head:
• Lateral surface of the lateral pterygoid plate
 INSERTION:
• Fibers run backwards and laterally converging into the pterygoid fovea
on anterior surface of neck of mandible.
• Into anterior margin of articular disc and
• capsule of TMJ
• NERVE SUPPLY:
• Supplied by Mandibular nerve via lateral pterygoid nerve from anterior
trunk
• BLOOD SUPPLY:
• Supplied by Ascending palatine artery
 FUNCTION:
• Acting together, these muscles protrude the mandible and depress the chin.
• Acting alone & alternately, they produce side to side movements of mandible
 PALPATION:
• Palpation of the lateral pterygoid muscle is not practical, it can be tested
effectively to determine if it is a source of pain.
 Ask the patient to protrude the mandible slightly and at the same time, apply
pressure on the jaw distally to provoke a muscle response.
 A sore muscle will respond to this test.

 PROSTHODONTIC CONSIDERATIONS:
 Occlusal harmony
• Unilateral failure of lateral pterygoid muscle to contract results in deviation of
the mandible toward the affected side on opening
• Bilateral failure results in limited opening, loss of protrusion and loss of full
lateral deviation
• In patients with non working side interferences, the lateral pterygoid muscle
on the opposite of the interference is painful
• Disharmony between occlusion and TMJ
• If the condyles must be displaced from centric relation to achieve maximum
intercuspation ,the lateral pterygoid must contract
• This causes muscle incoordination with potential for occlusal disharmony,
muscle pain, or disorders of TMJ.

Tooth Interferences to the centric relation arc of closure

Activates lateral pterygoid muscle

Hyperactivity of clenching muscles

MEDIAL PTERYGOID MUSCLE:

 It is also called as the internal pterygoid muscle.

 It is almost a mirror-like image of the masseter muscle.
 It is rhomboidal and runs practically in the same direction on the inner surface
of the mandible
 It consist of two heads which differ in origin:
 Superficial
 Deep

 ORIGIN:
 Superficial head:
• from maxillary tuberosity.
• Deep head:
• from medial surface of lateral pterygoid plate and part of palatine bone.
 INSERTION:
 Fibers run backwards, downwards and Laterally into the roughened area of
medial surface of the angle mandible
 NERVE SUPPLY:
 Nerve to medial pterygoid.
 BLOOD SUPPLY:
 Pterygoid branch of maxillary artery.
 FUNCTION:
 Medial pterygoid of two sides elevate the mandible to help in closing of mouth
 Acting with lateral pterygoid ,medial pterygoids protrude the mandible
 When medial and lateral pterygoids of one side act together ,the
corresponding side of the mandible is rotated forwards and to opposite side
 Lateral and medial pterygoids of two sides when contracts alternately produce
side to side movement, which are used to grind the food

 PALPATION:
 Gently palpate them on the medial aspect of the jaw, simultaneously
from both inside and outside the mouth
 this palpation is difficult and sometimes uncomfortable for the patient.

 PROSTHODONTIC CONSIDERATIONS:
• It is one of the muscles that influence the denture border in region of retro
mylohyoid curtain
• It is the one of the elevators of mandible.
• when patient closes his jaw, the medial pterygoid contracts against superior
constrictor of pharynx which is immediately anterior to it which in turn forms
posterolateral aspect of retromylohyoid curtain which molds the border of
mandibular denture in the region of retromylohyoid fossa.
• Care should be taken that the lingual flange should not be over extended as
the lingual nerve is closely related and even submandibular salivary duct can
be blocked.
 ACCESSORY MUSCLES OF MASTICATION
SUPRAHYOIDGROUP OF MUSCLES:
 The function of this group of muscles is either to elevate the hyoid bone and
the larynx or to depress the mandible
 They are mouth opening muscles
 They are:
• Mylohyoid
• Geniohyoid
• Stylohyoid
• Anterior belly of digastric

MYLOHYOID MUSCLE:
 It is a Flat, triangular muscle lying deep to the anterior belly of digastric.
 It forms the floor of the mouth.
 ORIGIN:
 mylohyoid ridge of mandible
 INSERTION:
 middle and anterior fibers into median raphae , posterior fibers in to
hyoid bone
 NERVE SUPPLY:
  mylohyoid nerve
 FUNCTION:
 swallowing (elevates the floor of the mouth, tongue) & also hyoid bone.
 Depresses the mandible

 PROSTHODONTIC CONSIDERATIONS:
• Instruct the patient to place the tip of his tongue into the upper and lower
vestibules on the right and left side.
• The area to be molded is reheated and the patient and is instructed to
swallow two or three times in rapid succession.
• The tongue movements raise the level of the floor of the mouth through
contraction of the mylohyoid muscle.

GENIOHYOID MUSCLE:
 It is a Short and narrow muscle lies above Mylohyoid.
 ORIGIN:
• Genial tubercle
 INSERTION:
• Anterior surface of hyoid bone
 NERVE SUPPLY:
 • C1 of hypoglossal nerve
 FUNCTION:
• Elevates the hyoid bone
• Depression of mandible

STYLOHYOID MUSCLE:
 ORIGIN:
From posterior and lateral surface of styloid process of temporal bone
 INSERTION :
Into body of hyoid bone , at its junction with greater cornu, and just superior to the
omohyoid muscle
 NERVE SUPPLY:
Stylohyoid branch of facial nerve (CN VII)
FUNCTION:
Draws the hyoid bone upward , backward and elongates the floor of the mouth

DIGASTRIC MUSCLE:
• It is formed by 2 belly like masses of muscle tissue joined by an intermediate
tendon.
 ORIGIN:
  Anterior belly : digastric fossa, , lateral to mental symphysis.
 Posterior belly : mastoid notch of temporal bone
 INSERTION:
 Both meet at the intermediate tendon and held by the fibrous pulley to
the hyoid bone
 NERVE SUPPLY:
 Anterior belly : mylohyoid nerve
 Posterior belly : facial nerve
 FUNCTION:
 depresses mandible, elevates hyoid bone

INFRAHYOID GROUP OF MUSCLES:

 They fix the hyoid and prevent it from rising when the mouth is opened.
 They are:
Sternothyroid
Thyrohyoid
Omohyoid
Sternohyoid
 STERNOTHYROID:

 ORIGIN:
• Posterior surface of manubrium sterni
 INSERTION :
• Oblique line on lamina of thyroid cartilage
 NERVE SUPPLY:
• By Ansa cervicalis

THYROHYOID MUSCLE:
 ORIGIN:
• Oblique line on lamina of thyroid cartilage
 INSERTION :
• Body and greater cornua of hyoid bone
 NERVE SUPPLY:
• Through hypoglossal nerve

OMOHYOID MUSCLE:
 ORIGIN:
• Upper border of scapula near supra sternal notch
 INSERTION :
• Lower border of body of hyoid bone
 NERVE SUPPLY:
Ansa cervicalis

STERNOHYOID MUSCLES:
 ORIGIN:
• Posterior surface of manubrium sterni
 INSERTION :
• Medial part of lower border of hyoid bone
 NERVE SUPPLY:
• By Ansa cervicalis

BUCCINATOR MUSCLES:

 It occupy the gap between mandible and maxilla forming important part of the
cheek.
  Also known as muscle of cheek.
 ORIGIN:
• Upper fibers: From maxilla opposite molar teeth
• Middle fibers: From pterygomandibular raphe
• Lower fibers: From mandible opposite molar
 INSERTION:
• Upper fibers: Straight to the upper lip
• Middle fibers: Decussate before passing to the lips
• Lower fibers: Straight to the lower lip
 NERVE SUPPLY:
Buccal branch of facial nerve.

 PROSTHODONTIC CONSIDERATIONS:
 IN MANDIBULAR IMPRESSIONS:
• The area is molded by massaging the cheek in an anterior- posterior direction
using moderate manual pressure against the compound.
• This moves the fibers of the buccinators muscle and the tissues of the cheek
in the direction of functional action of thebuccinators muscle.
 IN MAXILLARY IMPRESSIONS:
• The cheek is manually molded in anterior-posterior direction using slight finger
pressure against the compound or the patient is instructed to control the
amount of movement by sucking action.
• MANDIBULAR MOVEMENTS AND ROLE PLAYED BY MUSCLES:
 ELEVATION:
 Prime Movers:
• Masseter
• Medial Pterygoid
• Temporalis
 Antagonist:
 Superior Lateral Pterygoid
 DEPRESSION:
 Prime Movers:
• Digastric
• Lateral pterygoid
 Antagonist:
• Elevator group muscles
• PROTRUSION
• Prime Movers:
• Masseter
• Medial pterygoid
• Inferior Lateral pterygoid
• Antagonist:
• Digastric
• Posterior Temporalis
• RETRUSION
• Prime Movers:
• Digastric
• Posterior & Middle Temporalis
• Antagonist:
• Inferior Lateral pterygoid
• LATERAL:
• Prime Movers:
• Working side of temporal muscle
• Antagonist:
• Non working side of pterygoid muscle
INFLUENCE OF MUSCLES ON BORDER MOULDING & DENTURES:
MUSCLES AFFECTING THE MAXILLARY DENTURE:
 ANATOMIC REGION:
• Labial frenum {Fan shaped}
 MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• It contains no muscle and has no action of its own.
 METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• Lift the upper lip vertically, place the frenum into the compound, and then
manually mold this area externally by moving the lip while simultaneously
applying pressure to control the width of the area.
• Instruct the patiemt to purse lips
 EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• Manually manipulate the tissue of the frenum in the compound to give it
freedom to function.
 ANATOMIC REGION:
• Labial vestibule
 MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• Orbicularis Oris
 METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• The patient is advised to pucker the lips and suck to record the muscle
activity.
 EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• The vertical height and thickness of flange is determined by this muscle action
• If Teeth are arranged too far labially – orbicularis oris is stretched
• This stretching effect tend to exert a dislodging force on maxillary denture.
• If there is lack of maxillary lip support - there is downward cast to the smile
which is similar to grief expression.
 ANATOMIC REGION:
• Buccal frenum
 MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• It is in relation with 3 muscles –
• Levator anguli oris - lies beneath frenum and affects its position
• Orbicularis oris - pulls frenum forward
• Buccinator - pulls frenum backward.
 METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• Buccal frenum is recorded passively by pulling the cheek upward, outward,
downward and inward, backward and forward simulating the movements of
the frenum.
 EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• Manually manipulates the tissue of the frenum in the compound to give it
freedom to function.
 ANATOMIC REGION:
• Buccal vestibule
 MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• Buccinator
 METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• Molded by grasping the cheek between the thumb and fingers and
manipulating the tissue outward, downward, and inward.
 EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• Simulates the movement of the buccinator muscle and associated soft
tissues.
 ANATOMIC REGION:
• Coronoid process area
 MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• Coronoid process
• Fibres of temporal muscle
• buccinator and
• superior constrictor
 METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• Have the patient open his or her mouth wide, then protrude and move the
mandible to the right and to the left.
 EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• This action develops the distal extent of the denture in the hamular notch and
also develops the space between the anterior border of the ramus coronoid
process and the tuberosity.
• This area is influenced by buccinator and superior constrictor into
pterygomandibular raphe.
• When the mouth is open wide, pterygomandibular raphe becomes taut and
pulled forward and over extension of denture may traumatize the tissue .
 ANATOMIC REGION:
• Posterior palatal seal area.
 MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• Palatopharyngeus
• Palatoglossus
• Tensor veli palatini &
• Levator veli palatini
 METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• Patient asked to say “AH” with short vigorous bursts
• Perform the Valsalva maneuver which consists closing the mouth and blowing
out air through the nose.
 EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• If the muscle on each side is functioning normally, the palate elevates evenly
in the midline and a seal is maintained with good retention.
MUSCLES AFFECTING THE MANDIBULAR DENTURE
 ANATOMIC REGION:
• Labial frenum .
 MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• Contains band of fibrous connective tissue that helps to attach orbicularis oris
 METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
 The lip is lifted outward upward and inward during border moulding
 EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• The Frenum is active, proper relief must be given to permit movement .
• ANATOMIC REGION:
• Labial vestibule.
• MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• Orbicularis oris
• Mentalis
• METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• Cheeks are manipulated outward, upward, and inward.
• Also the patient is instructed to
• 1) Lick the upper and lower lips with the tongue
• 2) To open mouth wide.
• 3) To purse the lips Instruct patient to evert the lower lip (pout).
• EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• Activates the orbicularis oris muscle with its associated muscles of facial
expression. The muscle becomes stretched, narrowing the sulcus.
• The mandibular denture is displaced if flange is unnecessarily thick.
• Activates the mentalis muscle against the compound. It should be recorded in
function so that it does not cause dislodging forces on lower denture.
• ANATOMIC REGION:
• Buccal frenum.
• MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• Depressor anguli oris (triangularis)
• METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• Manipulate the cheek outward, upward, and inward. And also antero-
posteriorly.
• EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• Allows for freedom of movement of the connective tissue band
• Permits a seal to form by the manipulation of the cheeks in a back- and-forth
motion.
• ANATOMIC REGION:
• Buccal vestibule.
• MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• Buccinator
• METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• The area and border are molded by grasping the cheek between the thumb
and fingers and manipulating the tissue outward, downward, and inward.
• EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• Moves the fibers of the buccinator muscle and the soft tissues of the cheek in
the direction of the muscle activity during patient function.
• Avoids overextension which can cause displacement of the denture base and
soreness of the tissues.
• ANATOMIC REGION:
• Masseteric notch.
• MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• Masseter
• Buccinator
• Buccal pad of fat
• METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• The patient is asked to close onto the clinician’s fingers while the clinician
resists the closure movement and gently presses downward on the tray.
• EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• This procedure forces the masseter muscle into action; the masseter, in turn,
forces the buccinator in the direction of the distal buccal corner of the
retromolar pad, creating the masseter groove.
• ANATOMIC REGION:
• Lingual frenum.
• Muscles that influence:
• Lingual frenum with its intrinsic connective tissue fibres
• METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• The patient is instructed to protrude his tongue and the move it side to side to
register that narrowly defined area only.
• Effect of activation on denture borders:
• Allows freedom of the lingual frenum connective tissue band to prevent the
denture from being dislodged during normal tongue movements
• Anatomic region:
• Sublingual fold space.
• Muscles that influence:
• Genioglossus muscle
• Tongue
• Mylohyoid
• Method of moulding / how to activate the muscle:
• Place additional compound into this area. To place the tongue to just contact
the handle of the tray to prevent reduction of the length too rapidly. Also
instruct the patient to gently wet his upper and lower lips with his tongue
• EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• Causes slight contraction of the genioglossus muscle, which pushes against
the tissues superior to it.
• ANATOMIC REGION:
• Mylohyoid area.
• MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• Mylohyoid muscle
• Tongue
• METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• The patient is asked to perform repetitive, forced swallowing. The patient
forcefully protrude the tongue and move it from side to side.
• For anterior region of the lingual flange instruct the patient to push the tongue
against the front part of the hard palate. Instruct the patient to move his
tongue into the upper and lower vestibules on each side of his mouth.
• Effect of activation on denture borders:
• The action of mylohyoid influences almost the entire mandibular lingual
denture border. It is a very thin sheet of fibers and can be displaced
downward and laterally easily during impression making. However, the
denture cannot extend lateral to the mylohyoid ridge or its movement will
traumatize the soft tissue.
• The amount of movement of the floor of the mouth is often greater with tongue
movement. The swallowing activity, therefore, will sometimes allow the
denture to extend further into the floor of the mouth for better seal and
stabilization. This procedure develops the width of and length of the anterior
lingual flange.
• ANATOMIC REGION:
• Retro mylohyoid curtain.
• MUSCLES THAT INFLUENCE:
• Superior constrictor.
• medial pterygoid muscles
• Palatoglossus muscle
 • METHOD OF MOULDING / HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MUSCLE:
• The patient is instructed to “open and protrude the tongue” to activate the
retro mylohyoid curtain and then to “close down on fingers” to activate the
medial pterygoid muscles, which function posteriorly to the curtain and tend to
displace it forward.
• Instruct the patient to move his tongue into his right and left cheeks while the
tray is held in position
• EFFECT OF ACTIVATION ON DENTURE BORDERS:
• As the patient closes, resist the closure by downward pressure of the fingers
to cause the medial pterygoid muscles to contract. If a formed border is not
present or if the border is knife edged, the flange is usually too short.
• This tongue movement moves impression material so that the future tongue
action will not displace the completed denture
• Neutral zone/dead space(Fish)/zone of minimal conflict(matthew)/stable
zone:
• Neutral zone refers to space in oral cavity where the forces exerted by tongue
musculature are equal and balanced with forces exerted by the buccinator
muscle of cheek laterally and orbicularis oris muscle anteriorly.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE:
Maxwell.D, odang.R & koesmaningati.H. In the year 2017, did a study on
correlation of masticatory muscle activity with masticatory ability in complete
denture patients with canine guidance and balanced occlusion, this study was
done to analyze, The correlation is in between masticatory muscle activity and
masticatory ability of the subjects with Canine guidance and balanced
occlusion in complete dentures. Ten denture wearers were participated in this
cross-over clinical trial, and five subjects were randomly selected to wear
balanced occlusion, Followed by canine guidance complete dentures and vice
versa. Electromyogram (EMG) Activities of superficial masseter and anterior
temporal muscles were measured and masticatory ability questionnaires were
collected 30 days after the subjects wore each occlusal scheme and
concluded that EMG measurements of masticatory muscle activity in canine
guidance complete denture wearers were significantly lower compared to
balanced occlusion complete denture wearers. Additionally, canine guidance
complete dentures provide better masticatory ability than balance occlusion
complete dentures.
CONCLUSION:
 The masticatory muscle include a vital part of orofacial structure and are
important both structurally and functionally
 The proper management and examination of muscles by dentist may
provide a greater chance of catching the disease process at an early
stage, which may be useful for its better prognosis
 There action must be understood and recorded at all step of fabrication
of prosthesis.
References:
 B.D. Chaurasia Human anatomy VOL 3, CBS Publisher; 2017. (Pg no:
124-127)
 Heartwell CM, Rahn AO. Syllabus of complete dentures; K.M. Varghese
publishing, 4TH edition 1992(Pg no:10-12)
 Bernard levin, Impressions For Complete Denture : quintessence books
(pg no.49 & 50)
 Glossary of prosthodontic terms; Elsevier; 1Oth EDITION, 2023
 Singh V. General Anatomy-E-book. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2015 Sep
15.
 Martone AL. Anatomy of facial expression and its prosthodontic
significance. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 1962 Nov 1;12(6):1020-
42.
 Koralakunte PR. Prosthetic management of a masticatory muscle
disorder with customized occlusal splint. Journal of Clinical and
Diagnostic Research: JCDR. 2014 Mar;8(3):259.
 Management of temporomandibular disorder and occlusion, Jeffrey P
Okeson 4th edition
 K, Ashok & Rao, Suneetha & M U, Swetha & Eshwar, Prerana & S, Jyothi
& Anil, Anju. Clinical guide to border moulding and secondary
impression in complete dentures. International Journal of Oral Health
Dentistry. (2021). 7. 231-237.
 Maxwell, D & Odang, R & Koesmaningati, H. Correlation of masticatory
muscle activity with masticatory ability in complete denture patients
with canine guidance and balanced occlusion. Journal of Physics:
Conference Series. 2017