Reproducibility and variation of skin surface temperature over the temporomandibular joint and masseter muscle in normal individuals.

Temperature, temperature differences between right and left sides, temperature variation with time, and temperature measurement reproducibility were investigated in 42 normal individuals over the origin of the superficial portion of the masseter muscle and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with fast- and slow-reacting thermistors. The average temperature was higher with the fast-reacting thermistor than with the slow-reacting thermistor for all measured locations. The temperature difference between the left and right side was in about 90% of the performed measurements less than or equal to 1 degree C in both locations. The temperature also differed between the two locations and was highest at the skin surface over the TMJ. The reproducibility of the method according to the standard deviation of a single measurement was satisfactory.