Effect of the Mandibular Orthopedic Repositioning Appliance on Trunk and Upper Limb Muscle Activation during Maximum Isometric Contraction

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to measure the muscle activities of the trunk muscles and upper limb muscles during maximum isometric contraction when temporomandibular joint alignment was achieved with a mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance in order provide basic data on the effects of mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance on the entire body. [Subjects] The present study was conducted with healthy Korean adults in their 20s (males=10, females=10). [Methods] An 8 channel surface electromyography system was used to measure the muscle activities of the upper limb muscles and neck muscles of the subjects during maximum isometric contraction with and without use of a mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance. [Results] The maximum isometric contractions of the trunk and upper limb muscles when mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance were used were compared with those when no mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance was used. The results showed that the sternocleidomastoid muscle, cervical and lumbar erector spinae, upper trapezius, biceps, triceps, rectus abdominis and internal oblique and external oblique muscles all showed significant increases in maximum isometric contractions with a mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance. [Conclusion] The use of a mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance is considered to be a method for normal adults to improve the stability of the entire body with the improvement of the stability of the TMJ. The proximal improvement in stability improves of the proximal thereby improving not only muscle strength with increased muscle activation but also stability during exercises.

An electromyographic study on the sequential recruitment of bilateral sternocleidomastoid and masseter muscle activity during gum chewing

“…Previous findings indicate that the activity of the SCM was significantly increased when performing the maximum isometric contractions with a mandibular orthopaedic repositioning appliance inserted in the mouth . It was reported that patients who had complained of SCM pain felt no pain in SCM after occlusal treatment.…”

Changes in the thickness of the cervical flexor depending on the contraction level of the masticatory muscle during deep cervical flexor training

“…Resultant, excitation of the trigeminal nuclei affects the equilibrium of the tonic muscles during clenching, and the masseter muscle is neurally dominated by the trigeminal nuclei; therefore, it probably stimulates the contraction of the longus colli, and cervical postural maintenance muscles 11 ) . Lee et al 12 ) reported that the contraction intensity of the neck, upper limbs, and core muscles increased during masticatory muscle contraction, compared to no-contraction, due to improved postural stability of the upper-lower jaw bite. Crispin et al 13 ) also noted that utilization of mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliances moves the mandible to a normal position, thereby affecting the temporomandibular joint and improving the muscle strength, endurance, and motor ability of the whole body muscles, as well as those of the masticatory muscle.…”

Effects of occlusal splints on shoulder strength and activation

“…Occlusal splints (OS) are removable appliances for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders that partially or totally cover the occlusal surfaces of the teeth [8]. In recent years, OS have also been used to enhance sports performance [9][10][11] based on research suggesting that dental occlusion (i.e. dynamic relationship between the maxillary and mandibular teeth when they approach each other) may affect muscle strength elsewhere in the body [12][13][14].…”

“…A study measuring electromyography (EMG) activity showed an increase in upper body muscle activity in athletes using OS [10]. Another study found changes in muscle activation on neck muscles [29].…”