Osseoperception: sensory function and proprioception

Adv Dent Res. 1999 Jun:13:120-9. doi: 10.1177/08959374990130010101.

Abstract

Tooth loss and its replacement have significant functional and psychosocial consequences. The removal of intra-dental and periodontal mechanoreception accompanying tooth loss changes the fine proprioceptive control of jaw function and influences the precision of magnitude, direction, and rate of occlusal load application. With the loss of all teeth, complete denture restoration is a compromise replacement which only partially restores function. Implant-supported prostheses restore jaw function more appropriately, with improved psychophysiological discriminatory ability and oral stereognosis. Osseoperception is defined as depending on central influences from corollary discharge from cortico-motor commands to jaw muscles, and contributions from peripheral mechanoreceptors in orofacial and temporomandibular tissues. The processing of central influences is considered with the recognition of the plasticity of neuromotor mechanisms that occurs to accommodate the loss of dental and periodontal inputs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bite Force
  • Dental Implants
  • Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported
  • Denture, Complete
  • Humans
  • Jaw / physiology*
  • Masticatory Muscles / innervation
  • Mechanoreceptors / physiology
  • Motor Cortex / physiology
  • Motor Neurons / physiology
  • Mouth, Edentulous / physiopathology
  • Mouth, Edentulous / rehabilitation
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Periodontium / innervation
  • Proprioception / physiology*
  • Sensation / physiology*
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiology
  • Stereognosis / physiology
  • Temporomandibular Joint / innervation
  • Temporomandibular Joint / physiology
  • Tooth / innervation
  • Tooth Loss / physiopathology
  • Tooth Loss / rehabilitation

Substances

  • Dental Implants