Postural contractile activities of human jaw muscles following use of an occlusal splint

Abstract

As induced by an occlusal splint over a period of 1 week, this study monitored surface electromyographic changes in the postural contractile activities of jaw elevator and depressor muscles in six healthy adults. The immediate effect of the occlusal splint was to increase the postural contractile activities of the suprahyoid muscles. All postural muscle activities showed wide-ranging biological variation, but the activities induced by the splint tended to stabilize within 1 week, with decreased postural activities in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles, and increased postural activities in the suprahyoid muscles.

Electromyographic evaluation of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles in rest position of edentulous patients with temporomandibular disorders, before and after using complete dentures with sliding plates

“…EMG silent period is peculiar to this relaxed posture, characterising an inactive condition of the musculature. It is basically a position of passive balance and changes to it may lead to an overload in the stomatognathic system, since masticatory muscles must be spontaneously relaxed 10 .…”

“…The action of interocclusal splints is similar to that of the sliding plates in that they allow balanced occlusal contacts to be established that functionally benefits the masticatory system by allowing a return to normal parameters 22–25 . Thus, the musculature's EMG activity in rest position (anterior temporalis) may be reduced, allowing muscles to work more efficiently during ‘tooth’ contact, and reducing activity during rest position 10,26–30 . However, such changes may not occur 31,32 .…”

Neurological influences of the temporomandibular joint

“…Occlusal splint therapy was reported to have a differentially stabilizing effect on the postural contractile activities of jaw elevator and depressor muscles within one week in a study of small sample size (Carr et al, 1991). If the postural activities of the jaw muscles are altered and stabilized, the proprioceptive afferentations from such muscles would also be altered and stabilized.…”

Clinical Use of Qualitative Electromyography in the Evaluation of Jaw Muscle Function: A Practitioner's Guide

“…More specifically, electromyography provides clinicians with an accurate method of assessment regarding the use of maxillary stabilization occlusal splints and the changes that can occur from the placement of said splints upon the suprahyoid and cranio-cervical relationships. 59,60 While occlusal stability has always been a goal in clinical dentistry, 3 opinions differ as to the importance of occlusal stability in relation to jaw muscle activity. 61 This range of opinion derives from the challenges associated with the evaluation of physiologic results following the adjustment of a patient's occlusion.…”