Relationship between electrical activity of the temporal and masseter muscles, bite force, and morphological facial index.

Deyves Gomes De Melo,Esther Mandelbaum Gonçalves Bianchini

doi:10.1590/2317-1782/20162014233

Deyves Gomes De Melo, Esther Mandelbaum Gonçalves Bianchini

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20162014233

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Abstract

To analyze possible correlations between the electrical activity of masseter and temporal muscles, Bite Force (BF), and Morphological Facial Indices (MFI). The study involved 43 young adults, both genders, 18 to 37 years old. The individuals were submitted to: face measurement to calculate MFI; Masseter and Temporal Surface Electromyography (sEMG) and BF measurements on right and left premolars and incisors. The following electromyographic tests were conducted: at rest position; Maximal Voluntary Isometrical Contraction (MVIC) and usual chewing of raisins. Statistical analysis was conducted using the coefficient of Spearman correlation with significance level of 5%. The values at rest in the temporal muscles were significantly higher than those in the masseter muscles. A meaningful correlation was found between MFI and sEMG in the MVIC test for the Left Temporal (rs=36, p=0.017). A significant correlation was observed between FMI and sEMG during BF in incisors for temporal muscles and the Right Masseter. During the force tests, it was possible to observe a meaningful correlation between BF in right premolars and the sEMG of the Left Temporal and Masseters. No correlation was found between the sEMG of temporal and masseter muscles, BF, and FMI in adult individuals based on the tests performed. The SEMG of temporal and masseter muscles seems to be associated only with BF. As a datum of habitual postural characteristic, the electrical activity of temporal muscles is higher than the activity of masseters, also regardless of MFI.

Highlights

The mandible and its associated musculature play an important role in the functions of the stomatognathic system
Surface Electromyography has become an important complementary method in the search for a more comprehensive evaluation of the muscles of the stomatognathic system, because it captures information about the electrical activity of these muscles. sEMG can assist in determining conducts and demonstrating results obtained by employed treatments, in addition to adding knowledge to studies on different facial and occlusal characteristics[1,2,3]
Bite Force (BF) is influenced by several factors, and it can be measured, among other ways, using a load cell placed between the dental arches, which records the force being applied by the elevator muscles of the mandible[4,5]

Summary

Introduction

The mandible and its associated musculature play an important role in the functions of the stomatognathic system. They are related to various structures ranging from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the oral structures to the elevator and depressor muscles of the mandible, which enable a variety of movements used in chewing, swallowing, and speech articulation. The study of facial morphology is of great importance for understanding the pathophysiology of the stomatognathic system. The functions of this system can occur in distinct ways in the various face types due to the relationship between hard and soft tissues, associated with genetic pattern and the various influences of craniofacial growth

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