Asymmetry of Masticatory Muscle Activity During the Closing Phase of Mastication

The purpose of this study was to investigate the asymmetry of masticatory muscle activity between working and nonworking sides in the closing phase during mastication. Fifty adult subjects displaying normal oral function and occlusion participated in this study. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the anterior temporalis and the superficial masseter muscle were recorded during mastication, simultaneously with motion data of the mandible. EMG activities of elevator muscles and their Asymmetry Index (AI) were analyzed depending on the vertical deviation of the lower incisal point with a two mm gap from the intercuspal position (ICP). EMG activities of both the anterior temporalis and the masseter on the working side were significantly greater than those on the nonworking side. Masseter muscles tended to show greater AI than the anterior temporalis muscles. Thus, asymmetry of the elevator muscles during mastication was a common finding in normal subjects. The normal range of variability of EMG activity and AI was confirmed in each section.     

Asymmetry of masticatory muscle activity during the closing phase of mastication

The purpose of this study was to investigate the asymmetry of masticatory muscle activity between working and nonworking sides in the closing phase during mastication. Fifty adult subjects displaying normal oral function and occlusion participated in this study. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the anterior temporalis and the superficial masseter muscle were recorded during mastication, simultaneously with motion data of the mandible. EMG activities of elevator muscles and their Asymmetry Index (AI) were analyzed depending on the vertical deviation of the lower incisal point with a two mm gap from the intercuspal position (ICP). EMG activities of both the anterior temporalis and the masseter on the working side were significantly greater than those on the nonworking side. Masseter muscles tended to show greater AI than the anterior temporalis muscles. Thus, asymmetry of the elevator muscles during mastication was a common finding in normal subjects. The normal range of variability of EMG activity and AI was confirmed in each section.     

Influence of experimental occlusal discrepancy on masticatory muscle activity during clenching

summary The influence of the experimental occlusal discrepancy on masticatory muscle activity was investigated on 12 subjects. Specially designed occlusal interferences were fabricated and various occlusal states were simulated with their aid. Subjects were asked to carry out eccentric clenching efforts and electromyographic activity of the masseter plus the anterior and posterior temporal muscles was measured. When compared with clenching on the unaltered natural dentition, clenching on the experimental interferences resulted in distinct patterns in the jaw elevator muscles, and the most characteristic change was observed when clenching effort was exerted on the experimental non-working side interference. Electromyographic activity in the anterior and posterior temporal muscles was decreased on the working side and increased on the non-working side and originally unilateral activity pattern with clear dominance on the working side was altered to a bilateral pattern, while that of the masseter muscles remained uninfluenced. Resultant bilateral activity in the anterior and posterior temporal muscles is thought to cause a superior movement of the working side condyle and an inferior movement of the non-working side condyle.     

Motor control of jaw muscles in chewing and in isometric biting with graded narrowing of jaw gape

When a certain bite force is applied during unilateral chewing, the combination of jaw elevator muscle activities is different than when a comparable force is applied in unilateral isometric biting, e.g. on a force transducer. Masticatory peak force is generated in a nearly isometric phase of the chewing cycle, with a jaw gape of about 1 mm. In contrast, peak force in isometric biting on force measuring equipment usually induces jaw gapes of 6 mm or even more. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that the jaw gape influences relative activation of elevator muscles in unilateral isometric biting. We further examined whether such influence could explain the different activity combinations of chewing and isometric biting. In thirty asymptomatic males, masseter and temporalis activities were recorded during intermittent isometric biting with jaw gapes of 6, 5, 3, 2 and 1 mm and during unilateral chewing. Activity combinations were described by working/balancing ratios and by temporalis/masseter ratios. With decreasing jaw gape the working/balancing ratio of the posterior temporalis decreased (P < 0.002) while that of the masseter increased (P < 0.001). Likewise, the temporalis/masseter ratio on the balancing side increased (P < 0.001). With decreasing jaw gape, activity ratios of isometric biting approached ratios of chewing. We conclude that: (i) relative jaw muscle activation in isometric biting depends on the jaw gape, (ii) relative muscle activation in chewing resembles relative activation of isometric biting with a small 'chewing-like' gape. This suggests that characteristic activity combinations in chewing are mainly a result of the approximately isometric contraction during the slow closing phase of the chewing cycle.     

Electromyographic analysis of the masticatory muscles of patients after complete rehabilitation of occlusion with protection by non-working side contacts

summary Surface electromography was used to study the function of the anterior temporal, surface masseter, deep masseter and anterior digastric muscles of 14 patients after complete rehabilitation of occlusion with fixed prostheses and/or removable partial prostheses. All patients had a balanced occlusion with protection by non-working side contacts during lateral excursion. Mean resting myoelectric activity was 2.5-3.8 μV, showing no hypertonia or muscular spasm. When patients clenched their teeth (i.e. exerted maximum voluntary occlusal force in centric occlusion), the anterior temporal muscles were the most active, followed by the surface masseters; the digastrics were significantly less active. During lateral displacements, the muscles exhibiting significantly higher potentials than the other muscles monitored were the working side anterior temporal muscle and the contralateral surface masseter. During mastication, the muscle that was most active in relation to its contralateral homologue was the working side surface masseter, the difference between the two being statistically significant.     

Observation of proportionality of myoelectrical activity of anterior temporalis to masseter muscle during clenching at varied jaw positions

Twelve healthy subjects with an intact permanent dentition and normal occlusion were selected for sampling of myoelectrical activity of their left and right anterior temporal and masseter muscles during habitual clenching level in varied positions. The proportionality of normalized myoelectrical potentials of anterior temporal muscle to masseter muscle at ICP and RCP was greater than one, while the proportionality at PP was less than one. In the lateral position, the proportionality on the working side was approximately equal to that at RCP, while the proportionality on the non-working side was similar to that at PP. These results suggest that temporal muscle contraction can bring the mandible upward and backward whilst the masseter muscle can elevate the mandible upward and forward.     

Electromyographic activity of superficial masseter and anterior temporal muscles during unilateral mastication of artificial test foods with different textures in healthy subjects

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the electromyographic activity of superficial masseter and anterior temporal muscles during chewing gum and gummy jelly mastication in healthy subjects to reveal the difference of neuromuscular control of jaw-closing muscles, according to the food texture.

Materials and methods

Electromyographic activity was recorded in 30 adults with Angle Class I occlusion and unimpaired function from the bilateral superficial masseter and anterior temporal muscles during unilateral mastication of two test foods: standardized gummy jelly and color-changeable chewing gum. Differences in normalized electromyographic activity and asymmetry index values between gummy jelly and chewing gum mastication were analyzed during the early, middle, and late phases of mandibular closure. Furthermore, changes among the three closing phases were compared for each test food.

Results

High electromyographic activity of both muscles tended to occur bilaterally during the middle and late closing phases during gummy jelly mastication, but increased muscle activity in the late closing phase was not observed during chewing gum mastication. The asymmetry index of the superficial masseter muscle increased significantly from early to late closure, regardless of the food texture, but it tended to decrease for the anterior temporal muscle during gummy jelly mastication.

Conclusion

The different aspects of the chewing process between the comminution and mixing test measures are necessary to elicit the different human neuromuscular strategies of chewing for different test foods.

Clinical relevance

These characteristic EMG activities of the superficial masseter and anterior temporalis muscles may be used as supporting diagnostic information during patient assessments and a reference during evaluation of masticatory system disharmony or dysfunction.

     

The influence of altered working-side occlusal guidance on masticatory muscles and related jaw movement

The effect of four different occlusal situations (group function, canine guidance, working side occlusal interference, and hyperbalancing occlusal interference) on EMG activity in jaw elevator muscles and related mandibular movement was investigated on 12 subjects. With a computer-based system, EMG and displacement signals were collected simultaneously during specific functional (unilateral chewing) and parafunctional tasks (mandibular gliding movements and various tooth clenching efforts) and analyzed quantitatively. When a naturally acquired group function was temporarily and artificially changed into a dominant canine guidance, a significant general reduction of elevator muscle activity was observed when subjects exerted full isometric tooth-clenching efforts in a lateral mandibular position. The original muscular coordination pattern (relative contraction from muscle to muscle) remained unaltered during this test. With respect to unilateral chewing, no significant alterations in the activity or coordination of the muscles occurred when an artificial canine guidance was introduced. Introduction of a hyperbalancing occlusal contact caused significant alterations in muscle activity and coordination during maximal tooth clenching in a lateral mandibular position. A marked shift of temporal muscle EMG activity toward the side of the interference and unchanged bilateral activity of the two masseter muscles were observed. The results suggest that canine-protected occlusions do not significantly alter muscle activity during mastication but significantly reduce muscle activity during parafunctional clenching. They also suggest that non-working side contacts dramatically alter the distribution of muscle activity during parafunctional clenching, and that this redistribution may affect the nature of reaction forces at the temporomandibular joints.     

The influence of age and dental status on elevator and depressor muscle activity

The objective of this study was to determine whether the muscle activity at various mandibular positions is affected by age and dental status. Thirty edentulous subjects (E), 20 young dentate individuals (G1) and 20 older dentate individuals (G2) participated in this study. Surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings were obtained from the anterior temporal (T), masseter (M) and depressor muscles (D). Muscle activity was recorded during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), maximal opening (O(max)) and in six different mandibular positions. One way anova and the Bonferroni tests were used to determine the differences between groups. Significant differences between the three tested groups were found at MVC and O(max) for all examined muscles (P < 0.001). The differences in muscle activity in dentate subjects of different age were found in protrusion for depressor muscles (P < 0.05) and in lateral excursive positions for the working side temporal (P < 0.05) and non-working side masseter and depressor muscle (P < 0.05). There was a significant effect regarding the presence of natural teeth or complete dentures in protrusion and maximal protrusion for all muscles (P < 0.05) and in lateral excursive positions for non-working side temporal (P < 0.05) and working side masseter muscle (P < 0.05). Muscle activity at various mandibular positions depends greatly on the presence of the prosthetic appliance, as edentulous subjects had to use higher muscle activity levels (percentages of maximal EMG value) than age matched dentate subjects in order to perform same mandibular movement. Different elevator muscles were preferentially activated in the edentulous subjects when compared with dentate group in lateral excursive positions of the mandible. The pattern of relative muscle activity was not changed because of ageing.     

Adaptation of craniofacial muscles in subjects with craniomandibular disorders

The purpose of this study was to examine muscle function in subjects with muscle pain. Forty-three subjects with pain in the craniomandibular muscles, clinically determined by manual palpation, were studied for alteration in recruitment of temporalis, masseter, and suprahyoid muscles during a series of phasic movements. Seventeen normal subjects were used as controls. The subjects with muscle pain were divided into three subgroups: (1) those with pain in both mandibular and neck muscles; (2) those with pain in these two muscle groups with joint degeneration; and (3) those subjects with pain only in mandibular muscles. Surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings were taken as each subject performed 16 different responses in which mandibular incisor movement was tracked simultaneously. The results show that the subjects with muscle pain use their anterior temporalis muscles with less frequency (i.e., probability) and with less intensity in several responses than normal subjects. These responses include rapid vertical closing movements, retrusion, ipsilateral laterotrusion, and natural as well as contralateral mastication. The masseter muscle is impaired much less in its function, and the recruitment of the suprahyoid muscles is not affected in the patients with muscle pain. Comparison of the bilateral activity in the anterior temporalis muscles during intercuspal clenching shows that the subjects with muscle pain often demonstrate a more severe asymmetrical recruitment of these muscles than the more symmetrical recruitment seen in normal subjects. Similar observations were made for the masseter muscle. These studies demonstrate that subjects with muscle pain in craniomandibular muscles alter the recruitment of their jaw muscles, thus supporting the concept that the neuromuscular system is altered in patients with craniomandibular disorders.     

Mechanism of motor coordination of masseter and temporalis muscles for increased masticatory efficiency in mice

The demand for the use of mice as animal models for elucidating the pathophysiologies and pathogeneses of oral motor disorders has been increasing in recent years, as more and more kinds of genetically modified mice that express functional disorders of the stomatognathic system become available. However, the fundamental characteristics of mouse jaw movements during mastication have yet to be fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of the masseter and temporalis muscles, and the mechanisms of motor coordination of these muscles for increasing masticatory efficiency in the closing phase in mice. Twenty‐two male Jcl:ICR mice were divided into control (n = 8), masseter‐hypofunction (n = 7) and temporalis‐hypofunction groups (n = 7). Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT?A) was used to induce muscle hypofunction. The masticatory movement path in the horizontal direction during the occlusal phase became unstable after BoNT?A injection into the masseter muscle. BoNT?A injection into the temporalis muscle decreased antero‐posterior excursion of the late‐closing phase corresponding to the power phase of the chewing cycle. These results suggest that the masseter plays an important role in stabilizing the grinding path, where the food bolus is ground by sliding the posterior teeth from back to front during the occlusal phase. The temporalis plays a major role in retracting the mandible more posteriorly in the early phase of closing, extending the grinding path. Masticatory efficiency is thus increased based on the coordination of activities by the masseter and temporalis muscles.     

Variations in human masseter and temporalis muscle activity related to food texture during free and side-imposed mastication

Adjustments of mastication to food texture have been examined in various studies, but the notion of food texture is often ill defined and usually assessed in terms of hardness. The goal of this study was to examine the pattern of activity in masseter and temporalis muscles during mastication of different food samples with known textural properties and to determine the interindividual variability. Electromyograms were recorded from the right and left masseter and temporalis muscles in 36 young adults during ‘free-style’ and side-imposed mastication. Five different types of food with known rheological properties were used. Both temporalis and masseter activity increased with increased stress at maximum strain of the chewed samples. A power function optimally described the relation between muscle work per chew and the mechanical measurements of food; this confirmed that the masticatory process is adjusted to accommodate to food texture. Temporalis muscle activity was more influenced by food texture than was masseter muscle activity. Less muscle work was needed to prepare the food bolus for swallowing during free-style mastication. However, 25% of the participants showed no differences between unilateral side-imposed mastication and ‘free-style’, suggesting that they might have greater chewing efficiency on one side.     

Activity of inferior head of human lateral pterygoid muscle during standardized lateral jaw movements

OBJECTIVE: (a) To describe the changes in electromyographic (EMG) activity from selected jaw muscles during a standardized lateral jaw movement with the teeth together, and (b) to investigate the effects on jaw muscle activity of changes in both the rate of lateral jaw movement and the relative magnitude of jaw-closing force. DESIGN: In 16 healthy volunteers, recordings were made using a jaw-tracking system, of mid-incisor point (MIPT) movements, as well as EMG activity from the contralateral inferior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle (IHLP), and bilateral anterior and posterior temporalis, masseter and submandibular muscles, during lateral jaw movement tasks at two speeds and two closing force levels with the teeth together. RESULTS: The IHLP was the only muscle to show a consistent increase in activity in association with the outgoing phase of the task and a decrease during the return phase. Under high closing force at slow speed, the EMG activities of the IHLP and bilateral anterior temporalis and masseter muscles were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those under a low closing force, while there was no significant change (p > 0.05) in bilateral posterior temporalis and submandibular muscles. The change from slow to fast lateral movement at low force did not significantly (p > 0.05) alter the mean activity except for the IHLP (increase in activity) and the contralateral anterior temporalis (decrease in activity). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the IHLP is one of the principal jaw muscles involved in a lateral jaw movement with the teeth together while the other jaw muscles may play a contributory or facilitatory role.     

Pain in the sternocleidomastoid muscle and occlusal interferences

The EMG of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the masticatory muscles during function has been observed in relation to opposing occlusal contacts. The purpose was to investigate the possible developmental mechanism of pain which can occur in the muscles. Six subjects with normal function and ten patients were studied. EMG activities of temporal, masseter, sternocleidomastoid (insertion) and sternocleidomastoid (middle) were recorded by surface and needle electrodes. EMG activity was recorded from the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid during activity of the masticatory muscles in tapping, clenching, and mastication. On the other hand little activity was registered from the middle of the sternocleidomastoid. The amplitude of the EMG of SCM-I increased as the occlusal force increased. During chewing the sternocleidomastoid muscle was functioning more actively on the working side than on the non-working side. On the patients, EMG activities of the muscles were of low amplitude and low frequency with no synchronization with the chewing movement, suggesting hyperactivity of the muscle.     

Does the habitual mastication side impact jaw muscle activity?

ObjectiveTo compare electrical activity in the anterior temporal and masseter muscles on the habitual (HMS) and non-habitual mastication side (NHMS), during mastication and in the mandibular postural position. In addition, the increase in electrical activity during mastication was assessed for the HMS and NHMS, analysing both working (WSM) and non-working side during mastication (NWSM).MethodsA total of 28 healthy women (18–32 years) participated in the study. They were submitted to Kazazoglu’s test to identify the HMS. Bioresearch ‘Bio EMG’ software and bipolar surface electrodes were used in the exams. The exams were conducted in the postural position and during the unilateral mastication of raisins, on both the HMS and NHMS. The working and non-working side on HMS and NHMS were assessed separately. The obtained data were then statistically analysed with SPSS 20.0, using the Paired Samples Test at a significance level of 95%.ResultsThe differences in the average EMG values between HMS and NHMS were not statistically significant in the postural position (Temporal p = 0.2; Masseter p = 0.4) or during mastication (Temporal WSM p = 0.8; Temporal NWSM p = 0.8; Masseter WSM p = 0.6; Masseter NWSM p = 0.2). Differences in the increase in electrical activity between the masseter and temporal muscles occurred on the working side, on the HMS and NHMS (p = 0.0), but not on the non-working side: HMS (p = 0.9) and NHMS (p = 0.3). The increase in electrical activity was about 35% higher in the masseter than in the temporal muscle.ConclusionsMastication side preference does not significantly impact electrical activity of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles during mastication or in postural position.     

Clinical, radiographic, and electromyographic study of patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint

Fifteen patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were examined clinically, radiographically, and electromyographically. Electromyographic recordings were also obtained from 11 subjects without signs or symptoms associated with their TMJs or masticatory musculature. All the patients with internal derangement demonstrated interferences on the ipsilateral side. This was interpreted as the result of disc displacement producing a reduced joint space and, consequently, a decreased vertical dimension on the symptomatic side. Slow opening and closing mandibular movements without clenching could be performed by healthy persons without noticeable EMG activity in the temporalis and masseter muscles. In association with disc displacement, electromyographic activity of the temporalis and masseter muscles occurred when the condyle slid over the posterior band of the disc and could be interpreted as an arthrokinetic reflex caused by distraction. Continuous muscle activity could be provoked by TMJ disc displacement and ceased when the disc position was normalized on mouth opening, only to occur again every time the disc became displaced on mouth closure. Anterior disc displacement without reduction (closed lock) could cause spastic activity in the temporalis muscle on the affected side. Spastic activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles occurring on the same side as a joint with anterior disc displacement hinders or inhibits the condylar movement necessary to achieve reduction.     

Influence of altered occlusal guidance on masticatory muscle activity during clenching

This study investigated the influence of experimentally altered occlusal guidance on masticatory muscle activity. Twenty healthy human subjects (15 males and five females with an average age of 26.5 years) volunteered to participate in this study. Metallic occlusal overlays were fabricated for the lower working side canine and overlaid on the second molar and the non-working side second molar to simulate a canine-protected occlusion, group function occlusion and bilateral balanced occlusion. Electromyography (EMG) activities in the bilateral masseter, anterior and posterior temporalis were recorded during maximal clenching. The experimental occlusal pattern revealed to have statistically significant effects on EMG activity. As the most characteristic change, EMG activity in the anterior temporalis significantly increased in the simulated group function occlusion and the simulated bilateral balanced occlusion compared with the simulated cuspid protected occlusion. The increased teeth contacts to the posterior region altered the unilateral pattern of the anterior temporalis activity to the bilateral pattern, while that of masseter activity remained unchanged.     

Response patterns of craniomandibular muscles with and without alterations in sensory feedback

1. Surface EMG recordings were made bilaterally from the anterior part of the temporal muscle, superficial masseter muscle, and the suprahyoid complex of muscles while tracking mandibular incisor movement in three planes. This was done in 20 normal subjects with 16 different responses. Some responses involved clenching whereas other responses occurred with actual mandibular movement. 2. Each muscle demonstrated a probability of recruitment dependent on the response that correlated with the intensity of recruitment. The higher the probability of recruitment, the greater the intensity of muscle activity. 3. The anterior temporal muscle demonstrated no statistically significant difference in any of the responses between the left and right muscles. The masseter muscle also demonstrated bilateral symmetry. 4. The anterior part of the temporal muscle was recruited in more than 60% of its trials (60% to 100%) in ipsilateral laterotrusion, retrusion, fast vertical raising, clenching on the ipsilateral or intercuspal position, and mastication. The temporal muscle was recruited in less than 60% of its trials in contralateral and incisor clenching, and less than 30% in contralateral laterotrusion, protrusion, and opening. 5. The superficial masseter muscle was recruited in more than 60% of its trials in protrusion, vertical raising, all clenches, and mastication. The masseter muscle was recruited less than 60% in retrusion, ipsilateral laterotrusion, and opening. 6. The suprahyoid group of muscles was recruited in more than 60% of its trials in protrusion, opening, and mastication. This group of muscles was recruited less than 60% of the time in clenching, lateral movements, and rapid vertical raising of the mandible. 7. Applying a maxillary splint to seven subjects significantly decreased the recruitment of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles during mastication. The splint also modified the use of the masseter muscle during protrusion so that it was less active, but increased its recruitment during contralateral clenching. The suprahyoid muscle group was unaffected by the maxillary splint. 8. These data support the concept that movement of the mandible from the intercuspal or rest position develops a coactivation pattern that will excite or inhibit a given muscle regardless of whether clenching with occlusal contacts or no occlusal contact is involved. 9. The data also demonstrate that the maxillary splint can alter the use of the jaw elevator muscles, predominantly in mastication.     

Effect of natural mediotrusive contact on electromyographic activity of jaw and cervical muscles during chewing

Abstract

Objective. This study evaluated the effect of a natural mediotrusive contact on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the anterior temporalis and sternocleidomastoid muscles during chewing in healthy subjects. Materials and methods. The study sample included two groups of 15 subjects each (Group 1: with natural mediotrusive contact; Group 2: without natural mediotrusive contact). Bilateral surface EMG activity was recorded on anterior temporalis and sternocleidomastoid muscles during unilateral chewing of a half cookie and unilateral chewing of a piece of apple. Anterior temporalis and sternocleidomastoid muscle activity was normalized against activity recorded during maximal voluntary clenching in intercuspal position and maximal intentional isometric head–neck rotation to each side, respectively. The partial and total asymmetry indexes were also calculated. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and unpaired t-test. Results. EMG activity of anterior temporalis and sternocleidomastoid muscles showed no significant difference between the groups. EMG activity of anterior temporalis was similar between working and non-working sides during chewing in both groups. EMG activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle was higher in the working side than in the non-working side in Group 2 subjects. Asymmetry indexes were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions. The similar EMG pattern and asymmetry indexes observed suggest the predominance of central nervous control over peripheral inputs on anterior temporalis and sternocleidomastoid motor neuron pools.