Does orthodontic treatment provide a real functional improvement? a case control study

Abstract

BackgroundElectromyographic analysis of the masticatory muscles provides useful data on the behavior of these muscles during stomatognathic system functioning and allows a functional assessment of orthodontic treatments. This study was undertaken to verify if achieving an Angle Class I bite through orthodontic treatment can lead to neuromuscular balance.MethodsThis study enrolled 30 patients (20 females, 10 males, mean age: 15.78 years) with an Angle Class II, division 1 malocclusion that was orthodontically treated. A group of 30 subjects (19 females, 11 males; mean age: 16.15 years), randomly selected among subjects with an Angle Class II, division 1 malocclusion that had not been orthodontically treated served as the Control group. Both groups were subjected to electromyography to study their neuromuscular characteristics. The Shapiro-Wilk's test revealed a non normal distribution, therefore we used a Friedman two way ANOVA by ranks test to compare differences of surface electromyography values between treated and untreated subjects at closed and open eyes condition.ResultsA statistically significant interaction between orthodontic treatment and open eyes conditions was detected for anterior temporal muscles. A significant imbalance of the anterior temporal muscles, which is indicative of an asymmetric electromyographic pattern, was also found.ConclusionsThe present data indicate that achieving a correct occlusal target does not necessarily correspond to a neuromuscular balance.

Computerized Assessment of Occlusion and Muscle Activity during Use of a Multilayer Clear Retainer: A Preliminary Study

“…EMG analysis in this study showed that the potentials of TA were higher than that of MM in all periods. This is consistent with the other studies which investigated the EMG [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Wieczorek et al [ 36 ] found that the voltage recorded in TA is higher than that in MM in healthy subjects.…”

Relações entre potenciais elétricos dos músculos temporais e masseteres, força de mordida e índice morfológico da face

“…Surface Electromyography (sEMG) has become an important complementary method in the search for a more comprehensive evaluation of the muscles of the stomatognathic system, because it captures information about the electrical activity of these muscles. sEMG can assist in determining conducts and demonstrating results obtained by specifically employed treatments, in addition to adding knowledge to studies on different facial and occlusal characteristics (1)(2)(3) .…”

Effects of intervertebral disc disorders of low back on the mandibular kinematic: kinesiographic study

“…Several authors have highlighted the importance of electromyographic and kinesiografic analysis in the assessment of Stomatognathic System and mandibular kinematics [ 17 – 22 ].…”