RESUMO
AIM: The purpose of this case report is the concurrent evaluation of the masticatory pattern and the electromyographic activity, recorded during mastication, before and after therapy of deep bite malocclusion. CASE REPORT: An 11-year-old boy, affected by deep bite (overbite = 5 mm) was treated by the use of a functional appliance (Function Generating Bite for Deep bite correction = FGB-D). Mandibular movements during mastication of a soft and a hard bolus were recorded both before and 10 months after correction of the malocclusion. Electromyographic activity (EMG) of the masseters and anterior temporalis muscles were recorded at the same time. Chewing cycles and EMG activity were recorded with the K7 I kinesiograph (Myotronics Inc., Seattle, WA-USA). Before therapy a higher EMG activity was recorded for both masseters and anterior temporalis muscles in comparison with the results after therapy. RESULTS: The results showed a great decrease of the EMG activity of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles. Moreover, the height and width of the chewing cycles in the frontal plane increased after therapy. CONCLUSION: The functional improvement showed after therapy with FGB-D showed that the functional appliance is able to correct the dental malocclusion and the masticatory function. The orthodontic treatment should consider not only the repositioning of teeth within the dental arches but also the effects on function, especially when the malocclusion involves the muscular and skeletal structures.