Background: Previous bench-top studies examined the details of the mechanical environment of rigidly fixed occluding teeth. It was demonstrated that during each chomp, contacting molar teeth experience in-occlusal-plane forces (Flateral ) that are highly transient in magnitude and direction.
Objectives: The objectives of this study are to identify Flateral behaviours that are attributable to the presence of a visco-elastic periodontal ligament (PDL) analogue, and to assess the necessity of incorporating it into future studies.
Methods: A weighted maxillary molar denture tooth was lowered onto, and raised from, a matching mandibular molar 10 times. The latter was supported by a load cell that continuously measured Flateral . For statistical purposes, the test was repeated with 21 (n = 21) different occlusal relationships obtained with 0.05 mm incremental shifts of the lower assembly.
Results: Overall, the results are similar to those of rigid attachment but the details of the Flateral profiles are very different.
Conclusion: The PDL plays a major role in the mechanical environment of occlusion, suggesting that, in general (not necessarily always), it should be integrated into studies of occlusion.
Keywords: occlusion; periodontal ligament; viscoelasticity.
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.