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.     

The effects of working-side occlusal interferences on muscle activity and associated jaw movements in man

A computer-based system was used to record and analyse the electromyographic activity in the right and left anterior temporal, posterior temporal, and masseter muscles, as well as the displacement, in 3 planes, of an incisor point on the mandible of adults during mastication. Unilateral gum-chewing tasks were carried out by the subjects before and after addition of the interference. Although the interference invariably produced changes in either muscle activity or jaw displacement or both, no consistent association was found for the group as a whole. In some subjects, the jaw-closing patterns on the same side as the interference were narrower than before; in others the patterns widened on the contralateral side. There was a tendency for peak muscle activity to occur earlier when the interference was present, and for continuing activity in the intercuspal position to decrease. Early inhibitory pauses in muscle activity were also observed following addition of the interference. The study demonstrated the importance of monitoring several parameters at the same time, and the need to create selective alterations to the occlusion.     

The relationship between dental occlusion, muscle activity and associated jaw movement in man.

Experiments were carried out on adult subjects before and after occlusal adjustment, and during atypical mastication, to study the relationship between occlusion of the teeth, muscle activity and associated jaw movements. A computer-based system was used to record and analyze the electromyographic activity in the right and left anterior temporal, posterior temporal and masseter muscles, as well as the displacement, in 3 planes, of an incisor point on the mandible. Clinical examination of the occlusion was performed by means of a standard procedure, which permitted numerical values to be assigned to variables commonly observed in clinical practice. Unilateral gum-chewing tasks were carried out by each subject. Five subjects were tested both before and two weeks after occlusal adjustment. Two subjects acted as controls. The series also included one subject with a history of bruxism and another who undertook specific chewing tasks. The results indicated a tendency for occlusal adjustment to be associated with an increase in the lateral excursions of the mandible during jaw closure and, in some cases, with a closer approximation of peak muscle activity to the intercuspal position of the teeth. Specific occlusal features showed no clear association with either muscle activity or jaw displacement, although all subjects developed maximum muscle effort very close to, or at, the intercuspal position. Jaw-closing speed during natural chewing appeared to decrease abruptly before maximum bolus resistance was met by the teeth, suggesting the existence of a neuromuscular control mechanism which operates before closing forces become very large.     

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.     

An electromyographic and roentgen cephalometric study of occlusal morphofunctional disharmony in children.

In a sample of children with dual bite and symptoms in the masticatory system, the activity of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles was studied electromyographically during clench and light tapping in the posterior occlusal contact position and centric occlusion and in protrusive bite on the incisors. The findings indicated that the optimal muscle function during maximal clench and tapping with displayed in the posterior occlusal contact position, which in the present subjects was situated, on the average, 0.5 to 1 mm. anterior to the centric jaw relation. It should therefore be recommended that, in orthodontic treatment of children with dual bite, the intercuspal position (centric occlusion) should be established in the posterior occlusal relationship. This is in accordance with the opinion of several authors who have emphasized the use of the retruded contact position (the centric jaw relation) as key reference position in orthodontic treatment and occlusal rehabilitation. These authors have further emphasized the importance of stable occlusal contacts in centric relation, centric occlusion, and the various jaw excursions in obtaining and maintaining a harmonious function between the dentition, the temporomandibular joints, and the neuromuscular system.     

Effect of lingual surface inclination of maxillary canine on jaw muscle activity

The effect of lingual surface inclination of the maxillary canine on the jaw muscle activity was investigated on five subjects. Several different metal maxillary canine risers were fabricated to change the lingual inclination. The EMG activity of the masseter and posterior temporal muscle was recorded bilaterally by means of bipolar surface electrodes simultaneously with the LED mandibular tracking device. On each subject the lateral gliding movements were carried out while maintaining the occlusal contact on the canine riser. The recorded muscle activity and mandibular gliding movements were analyzed quantitatively. During the lateral gliding, the working-side posterior temporal muscle was more active than the other three muscles. Steeper canine risers caused a reduction of the muscle activity when compared with the more flat guidance. In the gliding movement from maximum intercuspation, the temporal muscle showed more activity than the masseter muscle. However the relative relationships between the individual muscles as well as the working-side muscle and nonworking-side muscle remained unchanged with all canine risers. In the gliding movement into maximum intercuspation, the difference of the canine riser showed no consistent change in the muscle activity. In each subject, it was found that the canine riser with a moderate inclination was more comfortable to move the mandible, but no relationship between the EMG activity and his or her feeling was revealed.     

Effects of occlusal contact on the level of mandibular elevator muscle activity during maximal clenching in lateral positions

The aim of this study is to clarify the normal relationship between jaw elevator muscle activity and occlusal contact in lateral positions in order to assess the appropriate anterior guidance of lateral jaw movements for occlusal reconstruction and treatment. The EMG-activity of the right and left masseter, anterior temporal, and posterior temporal muscles of 9 healthy subjects with full, natural dentition was measured with bipolar surface electrodes during two different biting efforts, one involves bite registration by a silicone material containing carbonate powder (BRS) and another is maximal voluntary clenching (MVC), at the right and left canines' edge to edge positions and intercuspal position. The difference in muscle activity between MVC and BRS, which was regarded as the actual muscle activity necessary for MVC, was calculated as a representative value for each muscle activity. When working-side occlusal contact was restricted by the anterior teeth, including the canines, the total actual EMG activity of the 6 jaw muscles had a significantly strong correlation with the frontal angle of the lateral incisal path and the occlusal contact area at the lateral occlusion. This result suggested the possibility that canine guidance would control the muscle activity during lateral tooth clenching.     

Postero-inferior condylar movement induced by artificial occlusal interference on the balancing side during fictive mastication in rabbits

ObjectiveTooth contact does not occur on the balancing side during mastication. Hence, it is possible that the presence of occlusal interference on the balancing side causes mandibular rotation followed by atypical condylar movement because the jaw-closing muscle activity on the working side is greater than on the balancing side. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between occlusal contact on the balancing side and condylar movement during mastication.MethodsEMG activity of the masseter (MS), lateral pterygoid (LP) and digastric (DG) muscles and jaw movements were recorded. Condylar movements in the sagittal plane were recorded using a high speed charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. Incisal point movements were recorded using a magnet on the mentum and a magnetometric sensor on the nasal bone. A removable biting plate was used to introduce an artificial occlusal interference on the balancing side.ResultsNine of the 10 rabbits showed large postero-inferior condylar movement (Pi-Cm) when a biting plate was applied on the balancing side. Five rabbits showed very small Pi-Cm when a biting plate was applied on the balancing side. In the small Pi-Cm group, MS activity decreased markedly and LP and DG transient activity appeared in the early occlusal phase in the presence of the biting plate.ConclusionInterference on the balancing side always caused Pi-Cm on the ipsilateral side during mastication. However, the degree of Pi-Cm was often decreased by a jaw opening reflex response.     

Improvement in smoothness of the chewing cycle following treatment of anterior crossbite malocclusion: a case report

This is a report of a case in which improvement in masticatory jaw movement kinematics occurred following orthodontic treatment. A patient who demonstrated a skeletal Class II jaw relationship, with anterior crossbite between the right upper and lower lateral incisors, underwent treatment with an edgewise appliance. The trajectories and smoothness of the patient's jaw-closing movement were compared before and after orthodontic treatment. The correction of the anterior crossbite allowed the patient to consistently close the jaw with wider lateral excursion. Furthermore, after treatment, smoothness of the jaw-closing movements increased significantly, and the velocity profile was characterized as closer to that predicted by the minimum jerk (maximum smoothness) kinematic model. These findings suggest the value of trajectory smoothness (jerk-cost) as an objective indicator of kinematic improvement in gum chewing. In addition, the correction of anterior crossbite is demonstrated to enable the patient to perform smoother jaw-closing movements during chewing.     

Influence of alteration of occlusal relationship on activity of jaw closing muscles and mandibular movement during submaximal clenching

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between occlusal contacts, responses of muscles, and jaw movements during simulated clenching. Seven healthy human males who possessed complete natural dental arches with normal occlusion, ranging from 24 to 29 years of age, volunteered for this study. Acrylic occlusal stops were fabricated for the lower jaw to simulate various occlusal conditions. Vertical movements of the lower jaw were measured by four sets of linear variable differential transformers. Simultaneously, electromyographic (EMG) activity from the bilateral masseter and anterior temporal muscles was measured. Under experimentally altered occlusal conditions, the subjects performed clenching tasks at 50% of their maximal voluntary contraction level. Analysis of EMG responses revealed clenching on the unilateral occlusal support tended to cause a unilateral activity of the ipsilateral anterior temporalis. Analysis of the movement amplitude revealed a significant difference between the experimental occlusal conditions (P < 0.05). Clenching on unilateral occlusal stops caused a larger upward movement on the contralateral side. Bilateral first premolar clenching without molar support caused a larger upward movement of the mandible in the posterior region, whereas bilateral second molar clenching did not cause a significant upward movement.     

Occlusal adjustment and myoelectric activity of the jaw elevator muscles in patients with nocturnal bruxism and craniomandibular disorders

The effects of occlusal adjustments on the myoelectric activity of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles, with the mandible at rest and during maximal clenching in the intercuspal position (ICP), were studied in 24 nocturnal bruxism patients. Before the occlusal adjustment, the patients were treated with a flat occlusal splint for chronic craniomandibular disorders. The results revealed that within the short term the occlusal adjustment, in terms of increased number of occlusal contacts and teeth in contact in ICP, did not change the postural activity, whereas, on average, the level of activation of the jaw elevators, in terms of normalized electromyogram, increased during maximal clenching in ICP. The increase of activity was more pronounced in the masseter muscle than in the anterior temporal muscle.     

Influences of balancing-side interference on jaw function

The influences of experimental balancing-side interference on the jaw function were investigated on 6 subjects. A specially designed onlay was fabricated for the lower second molar, which acted as an artificial balancing-side interference in the lateral mandibular position. The subjects were asked to do maximum clenching, lateral gliding and gum chewing with and without the device. Electromyographic activity of the masseter and the anterior and posterior temporal muscles were measured and the related mandibular movement was simultaneously recorded during these tasks. Introduction of the experimental interference caused alteration in the muscle activity as follows: 1. When the subjects exerted maximum clenching efforts in the lateral mandibular position, the ratio of the temporal muscle activity on the working-side to the balancing-side decreased, while that of the masseter muscle remained unchanged. 2. There was a tendency for the activity in the working-side posterior temporal muscle to increase during gliding from intercuspation. The ratio of the temporal muscle activity on the working-side to the balancing-side decreased during gliding into intercuspation. 3. Prolongation of the occlusal phase associated with the increase of the muscle activity was observed during gum chewing on the side opposite to the interference. It was suggested that the balancing-side interference might provoke a specific muscle activity in the temporal muscles during parafunctional clenching or grinding.     

Improvement in Smoothness of the Chewing Cycle Following Treatment of Anterior Crossbite Malocclusion: A Case Report

Abstract

This is a report of a case in which improvement in masticatory jaw movement kinematics occurred following orthodontic treatment. A patient who demonstrated a skeletal Class II jaw relationship, with anterior crossbite between the right upper and lower lateral incisors, underwent treatment with an edgewise appliance. The trajectories and smoothness of the patient’s jaw-closing movement were compared before and after orthodontic treatment. The correction of the anterior crossbite allowed the patient to consistently close the jaw with wider lateral excursion. Furthermore, after treatment, smoothness of the jaw-closing movements increased significantly, and the velocity profile was characterized as closer to that predicted by the minimum jerk (maximum smoothness) kinematic model. These findings suggest the value of trajectory smoothness (jerk-cost) as an objective indicator of kinematic improvement in gum chewing. In addition, the correction of anterior crossbite is demonstrated to enable the patient to perform smoother jaw-closing movements during chewing.     

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.     

Influence of group function and canine guidance on electromyographic activity of elevator muscles

A comparative EMG study was done between two types of occlusal guidances: group function and canine guidance. The purpose was to determine which of the two occlusal schemes causes a greater reduction in muscle activity and thereby a decrease in muscle tension in eccentric mandibular positions. Full-coverage occlusal splints were made for six test subjects with normal function of the stomatognathic system. Left- and right-side integrated EMG recordings were made of the masseter and temporal muscles during static (clenching) and dynamic (lateral excursion and clenching) maximal contractions. The results showed an EMG activity reduction of the elevator muscles with group function relative to their activity in centric occlusion. A more marked reduction was observed on the mediotrusive side, mainly in the temporal muscle. With canine guidance, the reduction in elevator muscle activity is much greater, more significant, and mainly in the temporal muscle of the mediotrusive side. The clinical implications of this study suggest the use of canine guidance in laterotrusion for therapy with full-coverage occlusal splints.     

Internal kinematics of the tongue in relation to muscle activity and jaw movement in the pig

Summary To explore the coordinative characteristics of tongue deformation, muscle activity and jaw movement during feeding, six ultrasonic crystals were implanted into the tongue body of ten 12‐week‐old Yucatan minipigs 1 week before the recording. These crystals formed a wedge‐shaped configuration to allow recording dimensional changes in lengths, anterior and posterior widths and posterior thicknesses of the tongue body during feeding. Wire electromyographic activities (EMG) of superior and inferior longitudinalis, verticalis/transversus, genioglossus, styloglossus, masseter and digastricus and jaw movements were recorded simultaneously. Signals from these three sources were synchronized for real‐time analyses. The results indicate: (i) dimensional changes were stereotypical in relation to each cycle of all three feeding behaviours; (ii) during chewing, expansion of tongue widths mainly occurred in the occlusal phase of jaw movement and was less coupled with the activity of tongue muscles, but the expansions of length and thickness were seen in the opening and closing phases and were better coupled with the activity of tongue muscles (P < 0·05); (iii) ingestion was characterized by the two‐phased jaw opening, early expansion of anterior width prior to the occlusal phase and strong associations between tongue deformation and muscle activity; (iv) during drinking, the duration of the opening and closing phases was significantly prolonged (P < 0·01), the durations of tongue widening and lengthening were significantly shortened (P < 0·05) and anterior widening was predominant in the opening rather than in the closing or occlusal phases as compared with chewing and ingestion; and (v) the intrinsic tongue muscles did not show more or stronger correlations with the tongue deformation than did the extrinsic tongue muscles. These results suggest that (i) regional widening, lengthening and thickening of the tongue body occurs sequentially in relation to jaw movement phases, but the initiation of tongue dimensional expansions does not correspond with the activation of tongue muscles simultaneously; (ii) there is a better coupling between tongue deformations and tongue muscle activations in the sagittal (lengthening and thickening) than the transverse (widening) planes; and (iii) the patterns and ranges of tongue deformation and their relations to muscle activity and jaw movement are task‐specific and the expansion magnitudes of tongue deformation does not have closer correlations with the amount of EMG activity in the intrinsic than the extrinsic tongue or jaw muscles.     

视觉反馈诱导下升颌肌不同水平主动收缩的表面肌电研究

目的:探索持续紧咬、咬合力水平和视觉反馈三因素对正中紧咬时颞肌前束和咬肌的肌电活动水平是否存在协同作用。方法:应用T-Scan III咬合分析仪和BioEMG III肌电图仪同步记录25例健康正常成年人以轻度、中等、最大咬合力做正中紧咬时双侧颞肌前束(TA)和咬肌(MM)的肌电活动,并以多因素方差分析方法分析咬合力水平、力值视觉反馈和维持因素对肌电活动的影响。结果:析因分析结果显示,双侧TA和MM的肌电活动水平均随咬合力增高以及力量维持而增强(P<0.001),而且咬合力水平与维持因素之间存在交互作用(P<0.01),力值视觉反馈下仅一侧肌电(右侧TA和左侧MM)维持在目标水平(P>0.05)。结论:维持一定的咬合力水平将增加咬肌和颞肌前束的肌电活动,维持努力与咬合力水平之间存在交互作用。咬合力水平视觉反馈对降低肌电活动水平有一定的作用。     

Human lateral pterygoid muscle activity on the return phase of contralateral and protrusive jaw movements

Normal function of the lateral pterygoid muscle is not well understood. The principal aim of this study was to determine whether there is a progressive decrease in lateral pterygoid activity as the condyle moves posteriorly and superiorly during the return phase of a contralateral or protrusive jaw movement, as would be expected if the muscle is involved in controlling or stabilizing the condyle during the return phase of these movements. In seven humans, electromyographic activity was recorded in the superior (SHLP) and inferior (IHLP) heads of the lateral pterygoid, the masseter, anterior temporal, posterior temporal and submandibular group of muscles, together with condylar movement, during contralateral and protrusive jaw movement. In most individuals, there was a progressive decrease in rectified and smoothed IHLP activity in relation to condylar movement during the return phase of contralateral and protrusive jaw movement. However, this pattern usually was not seen when SHLP activity was studied in relation to condylar movement. Further, there was a high correlation coefficient between condylar displacement and the rectified and smoothed IHLP and anterior temporal muscle activities during the return phase of contralateral or protrusive jaw movement, while SHLP presented a much lower correlation. For example, the mean (+/-SD) correlation coefficient between posterior condylar movement (along anteroposterior axis) and IHLP activity during the return phase of a protrusive jaw movement was -0.73+/-0.36 (for contralateral movement: -0.71+/-0.56), for the anterior temporal 0.69+/-0.21 (contralateral: 0.81+/-0.09), and for the submandibular muscles, -0. 77+/-0.15 (contralateral: -0.34+/-0.71). For the SHLP, masseter and posterior temporal, values were -0.34+/-0.61 (contralateral: -0. 48+/-0.37), -0.24+/-0.57 (contralateral: 0.16+/-0.80), and 0.16+/-0. 77 (contralateral: 0.64+/-0.14), respectively. These findings suggest an important role for the IHLP and anterior temporal in controlling the movement of the condyle to the glenoid fossa on the return phase of contralateral and protrusive jaw movements. Further studies are needed to clarify the function of the lateral pterygoid muscle during these and other jaw movements.     

Influence of different condylar and incisal guidance ratios to the activity of anterior and posterior temporal muscle

OBJECT: Few studies quantify reactions of masticatory muscles during clenching at different occlusal positions in individuals with different anterior and posterior guidance relationship and different number of working-side occlusal contacts. The hypothesis that altered incisal guidance (IG) and a different number of working-side occlusal contacts in complete denture wearers (CDW) change a pattern of temporal muscle activity and loadings to the mandible during clenching in incisal and lateral positions was tested. DESIGN: EMG activity during clenching in incisal (IP) and left (LOP) and right lateral occlusal (ROP) positions was compared between dentate subjects (DS) with steeper IG than condylar guidance (PG) and canine or canine+first premolar guidance in laterotrusive movements with CDWs who had steeper PG than IG and group function. EMG values were expressed as percentages of maximum voluntary clenching in maximum intercuspation (ICP) in each individual. RESULTS: The CDWs exhibited significantly higher posterior temporal muscle (TP) activity in IP and during lateral biting on mediotrusive side than DSs. Their coronoid process had to be pulled backward by TP fibers to rotate condyle in a counter-clockwise direction (PG>IG); contrary DSs had to rotate condyle in a clockwise direction to compensate for vertical overlap (IG>PG). Group function allowed more working-side contacts in CDWs and significantly higher anterior temporalis (TA) activity. CONCLUSION: Alteration of IG-PG ratio and a number of occlusal contacts during lateral clenching change a pattern of TA and TP activity in CDWs and a direction of mandibular loadings, although age related changes might also be responsible.     

Masseter and temporalis surface electromyography in patients wearing complete dentures comparing anterior and posterior occlusal concepts — A pilot study

The activity of jaw elevator muscles (masseter and anterior temporal muscle) was studied by surface electromyography in 17 patients wearing complete dentures with anterior-canine guidance.
Baseline electromyography was recorded with the dentures and compared to recordings obtained with two different splints adapted to the upper denture, one providing anterior guidance leading to immediate disclusion of the posterior teeth during any jaw movement, the other providing posterior guidance buccally on the working side and lingually on the non-working side (bilaterally balanced occlusion).
Recordings were obtained during a sequence of different jaw movements: postural position, maximal tooth contact in intercuspal position, protrusive movement of the mandible (under tooth contact) and during lateral excursions, also carried out under tooth contact.
Muscle activity was not significantly different as recorded with dentures only versus with the splints providing anterior guidance. However, a significant increase in activity was observed with bilaterally balanced occlusion.
The results of this study in edentulous people are similar to those found in patients with natural teeth.