SummaryChewing motor performance was examined in twenty‐one patients. Twelve patients had TMJ dysfunction syndrome, eight had occlusal trauma, and one had CNS impairment. Surface electromyography and three‐dimensional jaw movement was recorded. Discomfort was recorded by the patient during chewing of beefstick. Specific changes in mandibular movement were related to the presence of pain, discomfort and other symptoms of the TMJ dysfunction syndr