Immediate Effect of the Resilient Splint Evaluated Using Surface Electromyography in Patients with TMD

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the immediate effect of resilient splints through surface electromyography testing and to compare the findings with the electromyographic profiles of asymptomatic subjects. The participants were 30 subjects, 15 patients with TMD (TMD Group) and 15 healthy subjects (Control Group), classified according to Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD) Axis I. A resilient occlusal splint was made for each patient in the TMD Group from two mm thick silicon to cover all teeth. The EMG examination was performed before and immediately after installing the splint. Three tests were performed as follows: 1. Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) using cotton rolls (standards test); 2. MVC in maximal intercuspation position; and 3. MVC with the splint in position. The EMG signal was recorded for five seconds. EMG indices were calculated to assess muscle symmetry, jaw torque, and impact. There was a statistically significant difference when comparing the results among the study groups. The symmetry index values in the Control Group were higher than the TMD Initial Group and similar to the TMD Group after the installation of the splint. The index values of torque were higher in TMD Initial Group when compared with the Controls. Impact values were lower than normal values in the TMD Initial Group and restored upon installation of the splint. The resilient occlusal splints may be used as complementary or adjunctive treatment of temporomandibular disorders.

Electromyographic indices, orofacial myofunctional status and temporomandibular disorders severity: A correlation study

“…Current EMG mean values of the C group were in agreement with previous data (Botelho et al, 2010;Ferrario et al, 2000Ferrario et al, , 2007Sforza et al, 2010;Tartaglia et al, 2008Tartaglia et al, , 2011 and significantly differed from the TMD group (Ferrario et al, 2007). Additionally, the current TMD group showed more asymmetry between the standardized activity of muscle pairs (POC temporal and masseter) and larger unbalanced contractile activities of contralateral masseter and temporal muscles (TC) in comparison to Tartaglia et al (2008Tartaglia et al ( , 2011, that did not include patients with myogenous plus arthrogenous TMD (group I plus group II), and Botelho et al (2010), who did not specify TMD classification or duration.…”

“…Additionally, the current TMD group showed more asymmetry between the standardized activity of muscle pairs (POC temporal and masseter) and larger unbalanced contractile activities of contralateral masseter and temporal muscles (TC) in comparison to Tartaglia et al (2008Tartaglia et al ( , 2011, that did not include patients with myogenous plus arthrogenous TMD (group I plus group II), and Botelho et al (2010), who did not specify TMD classification or duration. However, the lack of significant difference on total muscle activity was also observed in patients with long lasting arthrogenous TMD (Tartaglia et al, 2011).…”

Surface electromyography in orthodontics – a literature review

“…The 2 mm-thick splint reduced the electrical activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles at rest and made the muscles more equilibrated both between the left and right side (larger symmetry in the masseter muscle, p<0.05) and between the temporal and masseter muscles (activity index, p<0.01). A similar influence of the splint was reported by Botelho et al [31]. The sEMG recordings of 15 TMD patients after installing a splint confirmed a higher symmetry between the temporalis and masseter muscles during MVC; the symmetry index values were similar to those in the control group.…”

Eletromiografia de superfície em disfunção temporomandibular: revisão sistemática

“…Significant differences are always observed in electromyographic activities and symmetry of activities at rest and during tooth clenching, between TMD and healthy patients 12,18,19,[23][24][25][26][27][28] . The analysis of muscle electromyographic activity has also been used to evaluate TMD treatment efficacy by conventional methods associated or not to support therapies 9,24,25,29 . Low-intensity laser is an example of support therapy for TMD, which may also be relieved with electromyography.…”