Effect of occlusal splint thickness on electrical masticatory muscle activity during rest and clenching

The extent of separation between the maxillary and mandibular teeth in the fabrication of interocclusal splints designed to achieve efficiency and muscle relaxation is controversial and undefined in the literature. Based on this premise, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of interocclu...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Pita, Murillo Sucena, Ribeiro, Adriana Barbosa, Garcia, Alicio Rosalino [UNESP], Pedrazzi, Vinicius, Zuim, Paulo Renato Junqueira [UNESP]
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2011
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Repositorio:Repositório Institucional da UNESP
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.unesp.br:11449/15258
Acceso en línea:http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-83242011000600006
http://hdl.handle.net/11449/15258
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Electromyography
Temporal Muscle
Masseter Muscle
Occlusal Splints
Dental Occlusion
Descripción
Sumario:The extent of separation between the maxillary and mandibular teeth in the fabrication of interocclusal splints designed to achieve efficiency and muscle relaxation is controversial and undefined in the literature. Based on this premise, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of interocclusal splint thicknesses of 3 and 6 millimeters on the electrical activity of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles during rest and dental clenching. Twenty asymptomatic individuals (10 males and 10 females) were selected using the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC). Electromyography (EMG) was performed both with and without the 3- and 6-mm splints using the Bio EMG software package, which recorded values given in microvolts (mu V). The results, which were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to a 5% significance level (p < 0.05), showed increased electrical activity of the masticatory muscles during dental clenching compared with at rest, with greater activity in the masseter muscle. The electrical activity did not differ according to the thickness of the splints or between males and females. We can conclude that both splint thicknesses are effective in treating muscle hyperactivity given their similar clinical behavior for asymptomatic individuals.