• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.517-534
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• 1997

It has been held that excessive mechanical forces to the osseous and soft tissues of the TMJ result in joint dysfunction. Understanding the stress pattern on TMJ is very important in TMJ research. But, it is very difficult to measure directly the biomechanical stress distribution in the TMJ when the mandible is loaded. Therefore, stress distribution in the TMJ during functional movement was studied through animal experiment or mathematical model. It was observed and compared the stress distribution occuring in the working and balancing condyle when lower right canine, lower right first molar and lower right second molar were clenched by the three dimensional finite element analysis. Also, stress distribution in the working and balancing condyles were observed and compared when $20^{\circ}$ forward and buccal bite forces were applied to the first molar. The results were as follows : 1. Stress distribution in the condyles during unilateral clenching of the first molar, second molar, canine showed no difference. In the working condyle, tensile force was concentrated on the lateral aspect of the condylar articular surface and condylar neck. And compressive force was concentrated on the anteromedial and lateral aspect of condyle. In the balancing condyle, tensile and compressive forces were concentrated on the lateral aspect of the condylar articular surface and stress transmission to the temporal bone was not observed. 2. When lateral forces were applied to the first molar, tensile forces were concentrated on the medial aspect of the condylar neck and condylar posterior surface in working and balancing condyle. Compressive force was concentrated on the anteromedial and lateral surface of the condyle and stress transmission to the temporal bone was not observed. 3. During unilateral clenching, stress in the working condyle decreased as the occlusal load moved posteriorly while the stress in the balancing condyle increased. when lateral force was applied to first molar, the incremental amount of stress was greater than vertical load. 4. During unilateral clenching, the average balancing/working condyle stress ratio was 2.52. There was a greater concentration of stress in the balancing condyle. The ratio increased as the occlusal load moved posteriorly and decreased considerably when lateral forces were applied to the first molar.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.823-824
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• 2006

The Freelz is an EMG (ElectroMyoGraphy)-based controller for the tetraplegic utilizing a power wheelchair by teeth-clenching. The EMG signals activated by teeth-clenching are acquired around user's temples. The controller contains hardwares and softwares for acquiring EMGs, classifying patterns, and controlling a power wheelchair. Also, a comparison test is executed with a conventional controlling method for the tetraplegic.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2005

The function of the masseter and anterior temporal muscles was assessed by electromyography in 30 patients with mandibular prognathism (20 patients with facial asymmetry and 10 patients without facial asymmetry) before orthognathic surgery and 4weeks afterwards. Electromyogram(EMG) recordings were made during resting, clenching and swallowing. We compared with right-left difference of this recording and asymmetry index before and after orthognathic surgery. The result of this study was as follows. 1. There was no significant right-left difference in muscle activities of masticatory muscles both asymmetric groups and controls and many variable change after orthognathic surgery.(P>0.05) 2. The mean electric activity of the masticatory muscles was found to have decreased during more clenching than resting, but there was no statistically significant difference because of individual difference of measuring values.(P>0.05) 3. The asymmetry index of masticatory muscles in asymmetric groups was significantly greater during clenching compared with controls.(P<0.05) In conclusion, no right-left difference of muscle activities was found in patients with facial asymmetry before orthognathic surgery and 4weeks afterwards. Not only muscular functioning but also many other factors, such as occlusion, temporomandibular joint disorder and trauma, probably affect facial asymmetry and will be analyzed in future studies. And we will need long term follow-up after orthognathic surgery.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 1988

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.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2007

There are have been reports that the distribution of electromyographical(EMG) activity is determined in a predictable manner by both the location and number of occlusal contacts. However, these reports placed an emphasis on whole dentition. Inclined plane contacts in the frontal plane are classified as A-, B- or C-types. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between occlusal tooth contact patterns and EMG activity of masseter muscle during maximum voluntary clenching. Methods: Fifteen healthy human subjects(Mean age; 25.3 years) volunteered to participate in this study. Acrylic resin overlays were fabricated for upper 2nd premolars and 1st molars bilaterally, and offered 3 types(A-, B- and AB- type contact). EMG activity of the masseter muscles was recorded bilaterally during maximum voluntary clenching. Statistical analysis was performed using the one-way ANOVA. Results: The group with a A-type contact showed a statistically lower EMG activity of masseter muscle than that of natural group(p<0.05) and that of B- and AB- type groups(p<0.01) on both upper 2nd premolars and upper 1st molars. Conclusions: These results suggest that occlusal tooth contact patterns have an influence on EMG activity of masseter muscle during maximum voluntary clenching.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.103-111
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• 1991

This study was performed to observe the effect of micro-wave diathermy and ultrasonic-wave diathermy on the craniomandibular disorder patients. 19 patients were classified into 12 acute and 7 chronic groups according to the duration of 6 months. They were treated with micro-wave diathermy and ultrasonic-wave diathermy for 2 weeks and pain, maximum comfortable opening, active range of motion were checked before and after therapy. Electromyographic activities of temporal and masseter muscles were also measured at physiologic rest position, clenching and mastication before and after therapy. The obtained results were as follows : 1. After treatment, pain were reduced and active range of motion and maximum comfortable opening were increased. 2. Temporoal and masseter muscle activities of post-treatment in rest position, clenching and mastication were lower than those of pre-treatment. 3. In rest position, temporal and masseter muscle activities of pre-treatment on affected sides were higher than those on unaffected sides, but there were no differences in muscle activities between affected ad unaffected sides on clenching and mastication in pre and post-treatment respectively. 4. There were no significant differences in active range of motion, pain and maximum comfortable opening between acute and chronic groups in pre and post-treatment but there were significant differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment in acute and chronic groups respectively. 5. Muscle activities of masseter and temporal muscles in acute and chronic patients were reduced in rest position after treatment.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.171-183
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• 1995

This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between tensed mandibular positions, muscle tenderness and EMG activity, respectively, and between range of motion of the neck and sternocleidomastoid muscle tenderness. Under stressful conditions, most of people take several types of behavioral patterns. Two of them observed frequently are clenching of teeth and grasping of fist. Prolonged clenching or grasping should increase electromyographic activity of associated muscle, especially muscles of mastication and neck muscles and will cause hyperfunction, dysfunction and muscle pain. So it is necessary to relate EMG activity with muscle pain. The author performed routine clinical examination in 47 patients with Temporomandibular Disorders, especially for presence or absence of muscle tenderness. Mandibular rest position was used as a baseline reference position and two more position in which EMG activity was taken were rest postion with grasping of fist and teeth clenching position. BioEMG of Biopak system (Bioresearch Inc, USA) was used for measuring of integrated EMG in masseter, anterior temporalis, anterior belly of digastic muscle and sternocleidomastoid muscle. To measure of the range of neck motion. CROM(Cervical-Range-of Motion, USA) was used. The obtained results were as follows : 1. EMG activity of all muscles except in masseter was higher in grasping of fist than those in rest position and there were significant correlation in EMG activity between the two position except in anterior belly of digastric muscle. 2. When comparing EMG activity between tender and non-tender muscle, all examined muscles did not show any significant difference. From this data, we could conclude that EMG activity was generally not changed with tenderness, of couse, it might be dependent with degree of muscle tenderness. 3. Number of tender points in examined muscles was also not significantly different between in patients with masticatory muscle disorders and in patients with internal derangement. 4. Cervical posture and range of motion of the neck was not differed significantly between in patients with and in patients without tenderness of sternocleidomastoid muscle.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.602-609
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• 2015

The aim of this document is to evaluate the effect of bite balance on physical fitness and motor capacity to determine the importance of the occlusal stability as a possible action mechanism of occlusal appliance including mouthguards on physical performances. We all remember that day when the prominent athlete was in the news wearing a mouthguard to improve human athletic performance. I once had investigated the determinants of athletic performance in all sorts of sports. Most of the studies had overinterpretation of results and lack of evidence to support the information. However, I discovered great expectations for new possibility in this field and settled for a more academic approach to this intriguing subject. The followings are some examples of the subject 1. Archers who wore occlusal appliances to increase the vertical dimension of occlusion by 2~3mm increased their ability to focus and to maintain good sense of balance. Their accuracy rate has been improved. The appliance was made of acrylic resin (a type of plastic). 2. Canoe players who wore occlusal appliances to increase the vertical dimension of occlusion by 5mm surpassed longtime competitor and won the race with 10 seconds gap. 3. A cycle rider who wore an occlusal appliance to treat his malocclusion surpassed his old record from 10.8 seconds to 10.3 seconds. His muscle reflexes (anaerobic exercise) and endurance (aerobic exercise) has been enhanced. 4. Occlusal appliances had a good effect on athletic performance in most sports such as swimming, diving, and weightlifting. As for the clenching on dentition, people clench their teeth when they push their physical and mental limits during sports activities. Clenching can be induced by physical exertion when maximum muscle strength is retained and this is similarly found in different types of exercises. In addition, restraint of respiratory function is observed. Therefore, creating a occlusal balance with occlusal appliance or mouthguard promoted a favorable influence when an athlete clenches.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.293-304
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to investigate the peak electromyographic activity(EMG) and time intervals in firing sequence of Anterior temporalis(TA) and Masseter(MM) on clenching, the number of tender points in the head and neck muscles, the occlusal contact state on clenching, and their relationship. 78 patients with Temporomandibular Disorders(TMDs) participated and were classified into articular or muscular group by clinical signs and symptoms. BioEMG$\textregistered$ of integrated masticatory function analyzer, Biopak$\textregistered$ system(Bioresearch Inc., USA), was used to measure EMG and related items, and T- Scan$\textregistered$(Tekscan, USA), computerized occlusal analyser, was used to record occlusal contact state on maximum voluntary clenching. EMG and occlusal contact were synchronously recorded and analysed with SAS Statistical program. The results of this study were as follows : 1. In total subjects, EMG of TA was lower than that of MM in articular group but in muscular group, vice versa, As a result, the ratio TA to MM was significantly different between the two groups. no significant differece. 3. The number and force of occlusal contact were more in articular group, but there was no significant difference in Total Left-Right statistics(TLR) between the two groups. 4. In unilaterally affected subjects for muscle function, no significant difference was observed between the affected side and the contralateral side in articular group, but in muscular group, the item of the number of tender points showed significant difference. However, for occlusal contact items, contact force in articular group shows significant difference between the two sides. 5. Rate of coincidence of the first firing side of TA with affected side or preferred chewing side was higher and not different between the two groups, but no significant correlation was showed between the first firing side and the first occlusal contact side.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 1993

The author has synchronously recorded the average electromyographic activities of the sternocleidomastoid muscles, the anterior temporal muacles and the masseter muscles. The marious levels of occlusal force were checked during clenching the resin plates which are made to fit each of the maxillary and the mandibular teeth. These activities were recorded in order to study the EMG activity pattern of the sternocleidomastoid muscle during the masticatory function of the jaw in 11 healthy subjects. The obtined results were as follows : 1. The electromyographic activities of the sternocleidomastoid muscles, the anterior temporal muscles and the masseter muscles were increased as the occlusal force increased, and the sternocleidomastoid muscles have a lineal correlationship with the occlusal force. 2. The sternocleidomastoid muscles and the masseter muscles showed higher EMG activity during clenching at the ventroflexed head position rather than at the extended head position. (p<0.05) However the EMG activities of the anterior temporal muscles showed no difference between the ventroflexed position and the extended position of the head. 3. The electromyographic activities of the sternocleidomastoid muscles, the anterior temporal muscles and the masseter muscles during clenching are similar at the habitual position and at the retruded condylar position. 4. The electromyographic activities of the sternocleidomastoid muscles, the anterior temporal muscles and the masseter muscles on the working side during mastication of gum and almonds are significantly higher than on the balancing side except the masseter muscles during mastication of almonds. (p<0.05, P<0.01) 5. The asymmetry of gum are lower than that during mastication of almonds. (p<0.05) The asymmetry indices of the sternocleidomastoid muscles are higher than those of the anterior temporal muscles and masseter muscles.