Mandibular border positions and their relationships with peripheral joint mobility.

Peripheral joint mobility was assessed in a group of fifty-one dental students using a modification of the Carter and Wilkinson Index. Mandibular border positions were measured both actively and passively with the aid of a millimetre ruler. The purpose of the investigation was to study possible relationships between generalized joint (hyper-)mobility and (hyper-)mobility of the temporomandibular joints. Only a few weak correlations were found between the mandibular border position measurements (active and passive mouth opening, active and passive, left and right, laterotrusions and active protrusion) and the peripheral joint mobility measurements. Differences between the sexes were illustrated in peripheral joint mobility with females showing a greater joint mobility than males, especially when only the passively measured joints were considered. The mandibular border positions were significantly correlated with each other (P less than 0.05-P less than 0.001) for the males, but few and then only weak relationships between these measurements could be found for the females in this group. The concept of temporomandibular joint 'end-feel' in relation to joint mobility is discussed.