Subject(s)
Practice Guidelines as Topic , Radiography, Dental/standards , Clinical Audit , Humans , United KingdomABSTRACT
Four occlusal marking media (Parkell film, articulating silk, articulating paper and T-Scan foil) were tested to assess whether they affected neuromuscular function during occlusal marking events. Muscle activity of the anterior temporalis (TA) and superficial masseter (MS) muscles were obtained from surface EMG measurements during a slow closure to occlusion followed immediately by a forceful bite and a maximum clench onto each of the various occlusal indicating media. Muscle activity during the whole period of activation and immediately following onset were investigated. Significant differences in neuromuscular function between the occlusal marking media were observed, particularly between the Parkell film and articulating silk as opposed to the articulating paper and the T-Scan foil. The Parkell film and articulating silk gave neuromuscular function very similar to that of natural dentition occlusal contact, while the articulating paper and T-Scan foil showed similarities to occluding onto cotton rolls as previously reported (1). These results suggest that both the thickness and plasticity of the indicating media affect neuromuscular function during occlusion.
Subject(s)
Bite Force , Jaw Relation Record/methods , Masseter Muscle/physiology , Temporal Muscle/physiology , Electromyography , Humans , Jaw Relation Record/instrumentation , Muscle Contraction , Paper , SilkABSTRACT
This study was designed to measure and describe the dynamic function of the muscles of mastication in healthy, dentate adults. Specifically, the study was designed to determine if there are common patterns of masticatory muscle function and whether a given occlusal loading model generates more muscle activity than another.
Subject(s)
Bite Force , Dental Occlusion, Centric/standards , Masticatory Muscles/physiology , Muscle Contraction/physiology , Muscle Strength/physiology , Adult , Biomechanical Phenomena , Electromyography , Female , Humans , Male , Malocclusion/physiopathology , Reference Standards , Young AdultABSTRACT
This opinion paper contends that a wide gap exists between the theory and practice of preventive dentistry. The reasons for this lie partly in the lack of recognition given to the potential for general dental practitioners (GDPs) to deliver health-focused care to their community of patients. This lack of recognition begins at undergraduate level and is also found among GDPs themselves. The creation of a specialism of primary dental care would help to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and help practitioners to create significantly improved levels of oral health within their respective communities.