Effects of the Changes of Mandibular Position on the Muscle Activity in Masseter and Anterior Temporalis and on the Bite Force

하악위의 변화가 교근과 전측두근의 근활성 및 교합력에 끼치는 영향

The author studied masticatory muscle activity and bite force in normal persons without Temporomandibular Disorders(TMD) signs and symptoms, The number of subjects was 15, and the age of them was from 22 to 25 years. Electromyography was used to record the muscle activity in tapping and clenching movement with or without occlusal splint. 3 splints were made from 3 different mandibular position, that if, centric occlusion position, Rocabado's mandibular rest position, Dawson's centric relation position. The thickness of splint was 3.0-3.5㎜ at molar region. The muscle examined were Masseter and Anterior Temporalis attached with surface electrodes and the device used to measure the EMG level was Bioelectric processor Model EM2. After recording the EMG, the author measured the bite force level in clenching movement with bite force meter Model MPM-3000 in the dame position used in the EMG experiment. The obtained results were as follow : 1. With occlusal splints insetion, the amount of decreased muscle activity in Anterior Temporalis was more than those in Masseter. 2. In the three maxillomandibular relationships with occlusal splints, Masseter showed slightly increased level of muscle in centric occlusion but Ant. Temporalis showed decreased level of muscle activity reversely in that position. 3. Muscle activities between Rocabado's rest position and Dawson's centric relation position were generally similar whatever the muscles or the movements the author examined. 4. Bite force in clenching movement increased with splints insertion, especially with the splint registered in centric occlusion position.