Mastication and swallowing:1. Functions, performance and mechanisms.

The process of mastication involves movements of the tongue, lips and cheeks as well as the more obvious actions of the teeth and jaws. In recent years there have been significant advances in our knowledge of the relationships between these movements in human beings and of how the processes of mastication are related to the associated events of swallowing. In this, the first of two papers, we review the role of mastication in food processing and nutrition and the effect of tooth loss on masticatory performance. The paper also reviews new information on masticatory and swallowing functions in human beings eating naturally. The review relates this knowledge to clinical dentistry, notably to the relevance of a good dentition to the digestive process and practical considerations in the replacement of missing teeth. </jats:p

Mastication and swallowing:2. control.

In recent years, it has become clear that the neural mechanisms controlling chewing and swallowing emanate from centres in the brainstem. However, these activities may be modulated by conscious processes and by feedback from peripheral nerves. This review relates this knowledge to clinical dentistry and, in particular, to the possible relationship between craniomandibular dysfunctions and impaired control of the masticatory system. </jats:p

An update on the physiology of the dentine-pulp complex

The properties of dentine and pulp are closely related and from a functional standpoint these tissues are often referred to as the dentine-pulp complex. In recent years there has been considerable progress in our understanding of the physiology of the dentine-pulp complex. This review describes some of the advances that are relevant to clinical dentistry, including dentine permeability, dentine bonding, dentine sensitivity, the properties of pulpal nerves and blood vessels and the reactions of the dentine-pulp complex to operative dental procedures

The neural mechanisms of oral and facial pain

Pain is a complex and variable phenomenon that can be influenced by many factors. The neural pathways serving pain are not passive conduits, but are part of a dynamic system which can result in different levels of pain resulting from similar injuries under different circumstances. The passage of signals in these pathways may be inhibited or enhanced at almost any level, from the peripheral sensory receptors to the higher centres of the brain. This review will describe recent developments in our understanding of these mechanisms and how this knowledge may be used in controlling pain