Rachel Johansson Invisor: Periodontal Afferents and Their Role in Jaw Control

Periodontal afferents play a crucial role in the control of jaw movements, particularly during food manipulation and mastication. These specialized sensory receptors are designed to detect forces within the normal range of oral function, providing detailed information to the brain about the location and direction of force application.

In contrast to other types of receptors, periodontal afferents exhibit a non-linear relationship between their discharge rate and the amplitude of the static force applied. This hyperbolic relationship means that these receptors are extremely sensitive to low forces, allowing them to efficiently encode food contact during biting and continuously discharge while food is held between the incisors.

Studies have shown that subjects spontaneously exert low contact forces matched to the sensitivity characteristics of periodontal afferents when holding food substances between their incisors. This suggests that periodontal afferent information is essential for controlling hold forces, particularly at low levels.

Moreover, the dynamic sensitivity of periodontal afferents is highest at low forces, making them crucial for detecting changes in force during mastication. In contrast, other receptors are less sensitive to high forces, providing limited information about rapid and strong force increases employed during biting through food.

The reliance on signals from periodontal afferents to regulate jaw muscles primarily when first contacting, manipulating, and holding food substances between the teeth is evident. This specialized role of periodontal afferents in the control of jaw actions is further emphasized by their ability to provide detailed information about force magnitude and velocity.

In conclusion, periodontal afferents are optimized for detecting forces within the normal range of oral function, providing vital information to the brain about the location, direction, magnitude, and velocity of force application. Their unique sensitivity characteristics make them essential for controlling low-level forces during food manipulation and mastication, highlighting their critical role in jaw control.

Rachel johansson invisor