What kind of muscle tenderness can indicate excessive vertical dimension?

Temporalis muscle tenderness can serve as a significant indicator of excessive vertical dimension in dental and orthodontic practices. When the vertical dimension of occlusion is increased beyond a person's physiological tolerance, the temporalis muscle may exhibit tenderness due to the increased strain placed upon it during activities such as chewing or clenching. This muscle, which is responsible for elevating the mandible, may become overworked and hyperactive in an overextended vertical dimension scenario, leading to discomfort.

In addition, the temporalis muscle has a broad attachment on the side of the skull, which can result in broad area tenderness if it is subjected to unusual usage or additional stress due to bite discrepancies. Therefore, assessing for tenderness in the temporalis muscle can help clinicians evaluate whether a patient's occlusal relationship is ideal, or if adjustments to the vertical dimension may be necessary to restore comfort and function.