Which temporomandibular joint mobilization would most likely improve a limitation in mouth opening?

• A. Distraction with anterior glide
• B. Distraction with posterior glide
• C. Compression with anterior glide
• D. Compression with posterior glide

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to help the mandible move forward and increase the joint space to allow more opening. When you open your mouth, the lower jaw translates forward (anteriorly) as the condyle moves along the articular eminence, and the joint space can be increased by gentle distraction. A mobilization that combines distraction with an anterior glide aligns with that normal movement: it both separates the joint surfaces to reduce tightness or blockers and guides the condyle forward to replicate the opening pattern. This combination directly facilitates greater mouth opening.

In contrast, distracting with a posterior glide would push the condyle backward, which isn’t the direction the jaw needs to move to open widely. Compression methods press the joint surfaces together instead of separating them, which would typically limit motion rather than improve it. Compression with posterior glide would likewise oppose the opening movement and isn’t as helpful as the anterior glide with distraction for increasing mouth opening.