Effects of class II intermaxillary elastics on masticatory muscle activity balance, occlusal contact area and masticatory performance: A multicenter randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral Class II intermaxillary elastics (CII elastics) are commonly used in orthodontics; however, the effects of CII elastics on masticatory muscle activity and the occlusal contact area have not been studied. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short-term effects of CII elastics on masticatory muscle activity balance, occlusal contact area and masticatory performance in a group of adult orthodontic patients after 3 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with a <3 mm Class II molar relationship receiving ongoing treatment with fixed appliances were recruited. The experimental group (n = 21) wore CII elastics (100-150 g/side) full time; the control group (n = 22) did not wear CII elastics. Surface electromyography, the areas of occlusal contact and near contact (ACNC) and the median particle size of a test food were assessed prior to (T0) and after one (T1) and 3 months (T2). Within- and between-group differences were analysed and the relationships between changes in dependent variables were examined (α = 0.05). RESULTS: At T2, the experimental group showed better masticatory muscle activity balance (p < .001) and masticatory performance (p < .05) than controls. Both masticatory muscle activity balance (p < .001) and masticatory performance (p < .001) significantly improved in the experimental group between T0 and T2. The changes in masticatory muscle activity balance and masticatory performance were significantly related (p < .05). No significant changes in cumulative ACNC or ACNC balance were observed (p > .05). CONCLUSION: After 3 months, CII elastics improved masticatory muscle activity balance, which led to better masticatory performance.

Effects of anterior bite planes fabricated from acrylic resin and thermoplastic material on masticatory muscle responses and maximum bite force in children with a deep bite: A 6-month randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Anterior bite planes are bite-raising appliances used for deep bite correction. However, muscle responses to anterior bite planes of different harnesses may vary. OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate masticatory muscle activity, muscle balance and maximum bite force (MBF) responses to anterior bite planes fabricated from acrylic resin (ABP) or bi-laminate thermoplastic (TBP) over 6 months in children with a deep bite. METHODS: Sixty-six children were randomly assigned to the ABP, TBP or untreated control groups. Masticatory muscle activity, activity index (AC) and percentage overlapping coefficient (POC) were assessed by surface electromyography; MBF, using a custom-made bite force sensor. Data were collected before, immediately after appliance insertion and after 2 weeks and 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment. Within- and between-group differences were analysed using the one-way ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (α = .05); Friedman's tests were used to assess within-group differences over time (α = .08). RESULTS: At rest, no dependent variables changed throughout the study. At maximum clenching, masticatory muscle activity immediately dropped significantly but returned to baseline values and was equal to the control group at 1-3 months. The ABP group had significantly lower masseter activity and AC than the TBP group after insertion. Neither POC nor MBF were significantly different within or between groups. CONCLUSION: Masticatory muscle activity reduced after anterior bite plane insertion but returned to baseline after 1-3 months. Masseter activity decreased significantly more in the ABP group than TBP group. Neither appliance significantly affected POC or MBF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trial Registry (TCTR20210330002).

Are occlusal contact area asymmetry and masticatory muscle activity asymmetry related in adults with normal dentition?

Objective: To examine whether asymmetry in the area of occlusal contact and near contact (ACNC) and asymmetrical masticatory muscle electromyographic activity are correlated in healthy dentate adults.Methods: Ninety-one healthy subjects with full dentition were included. Seven levels of ACNC were registered, and the asymmetry indexes (AsI) for each level of ACNC (AsI-ACNC) were determined. Surface EMG was used to record bilateral anterior temporalis activity and masseter muscle activity. The AsI for the anterior temporalis, masseter, and the combination of both muscles were calculated.Results: Pearson's correlation analysis revealed all levels of AsI-ACNC were significantly, negatively correlated with the AsI of the anterior temporalis and the combination of both muscles (p < 0.05), but not the AsI of the masseter muscle (p > 0.05).Conclusion: The side with greater ACNC has significantly lower anterior temporalis activity and combined anterior temporalis and masseter muscle activity on the ipsilateral side.

Masticatory performance is influenced by masticatory muscle activity balance and the cumulative occlusal contact area.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of masticatory muscle activity balance, occlusal contact area balance and the area of occlusal contact on masticatory performance in healthy dentate adults. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study included ninety-three healthy subjects with complete dentition. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to record bilateral anterior temporalis activity and masseter muscle activity during maximum voluntary clenching and while chewing a test food. Seven levels of area of occlusal contact and near contact (ACNC) were registered and calculated cumulatively. The percentage overlapping coefficients were calculated for both muscle groups at maximum voluntary clenching and chewing and all levels of ACNC. Masticatory performance was measured by determining the median particle size of frankfurter sausage after 15 chewing cycles. Pearson's correlation and stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the correlations between variables and the influence of the variables on masticatory performance, respectively, at the 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: Muscle balance during clenching and chewing, all near contact levels of cumulative ACNC and ACNC balance correlated negatively with median particle size (P <  0.05). The model based on stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed muscle balance during clenching and cumulative ACNC at < 250 µm influenced median particle size. CONCLUSION: Masticatory muscle activity balance during maximum voluntary clenching and the cumulative amount of near contact area were associated with masticatory performance, suggesting the amount of occlusal contact area-as well the balance of masticatory muscle activity-play a role in masticatory performance.