Electromyographic activity of masticatory, neck and trunk muscles of subjects with different skeletal facial morphology ? a cross-sectional evaluation

Occlusal function and electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles in skeletal Class III patients with different patterns of mandibular asymmetry

BACKGROUND

Although jaw asymmetry is commonly seen in skeletal Class III patients, its correlation with occlusal function and masticatory muscle activity has not been fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occlusal function and masticatory muscle activity in skeletal Class III patients with various patterns of mandibular asymmetry.

METHODS

Forty-two patients and 10 normal participants were examined. The patients were categorised into three groups. Groups 1 and 2 exhibited menton and ramus deviation to the same side. Menton deviation was larger than ramus deviation in Group 1, whereas Group 2 showed the inverse relation. Group 3 patients showed menton and ramus deviation in opposite directions. Occlusal contact area (OCA), relative bite force (RBF), and temporalis anterior (TA) and masseter muscle (MM) activity at maximum clenching were measured using T-Scan Novus system and Bio-EMG-III. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test, one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction and Spearman correlation (α = .05).

RESULTS

Compared with normal participants, the patients had smaller OCA and greater asymmetry in the distribution of masticatory muscle activity. Greater ramus deviation was associated with smaller OCA in Group 1 but with larger OCA in Group 3. In Group 1, greater menton deviation was related to stronger TA activity on the non-deviation side. In Group 2, greater ramus deviation was related to stronger MM activity on the deviation side.

CONCLUSION

Deviation of the menton and ramus was individually related to OCA and masticatory muscle activity, and this relationship varied according to the pattern of mandibular asymmetry.

Suprahyoid Muscle Activity in Patients with Chagasic Megaesophagus

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the activity of the suprahyoid musculature during swallowing and to correlate the findings with the degree of megaesophagus, oral and pharyngeal videofluoroscopy and esophageal manometry in patients with achalasia caused by Chagas' disease. Twenty-nine patients with positive serology for Trypanosoma cruzi and dysphagia (Chagas' disease group) and 29 individuals matched by sex and age (control group) participated in the study. Surface electromyography of the suprahyoid musculature and videofluoroscopy during swallowing of paste and liquid consistencies were performed. Canonical correlation analysis of the MANOVA test results showed that the Chagas' disease group had lower electromyographic activity when compared with controls. Overlapping circles of radiological findings were found for megaesophagus. The Spearman test showed a positive correlation between the electromyographic activity in the maximum voluntary isometric contraction and the time of pharyngeal transit for both liquid (p = 0.014) and paste (p = 0.047). The logistic regression test showed no association between electromyographic activity of the suprahyoid muscles and esophageal manometry results (p > 0.05). In conclusion, individuals with chagasic megaesophagus have reduced electromyographic activity of the suprahyoid muscles during swallowing, in addition to a greater recruitment of the suprahyoid musculature with increased pharyngeal transit time.

Relationships between craniofacial morphology and masticatory muscle activity during isometric contraction at different interocclusal distances

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to investigate relationships amongst interocclusal distances, masticatory muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity during isometric contraction of masticatory muscles, and craniofacial morphology.

DESIGN

Twenty-eight women and 12 men (25.3 ± 3.8 years old) participated. After measuring maximal voluntary occlusal bite force (MVOBF) between the right-first premolars, the participants were asked to bite at submaximal levels of 0 (= holding the bite force transducer), 15, 22.5, and 30% MVOBF with the use of visual feedback. The thickness of a bite force transducer was set at 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, and 24 mm (= interocclusal distance: IOD). Nine soft tissue craniofacial factors were assessed through digital photograph: face height, middle face height, lower face height, face width, inter-pupil distance and mandibular plane angle, lower face height / face height ratio, inter-pupil distance / facial width ratio and face width / face height ratio.

RESULTS

In the masseter muscle, EMG activity decreased with increased IODs. The participants with higher mandibular plane angle had more negative slope coefficients of IOD-EMG graphs at 0% MVOBF especially in male temporalis and female masseter and temporalis muscles, suggesting that a greater mandibular plane angle is associated with lower EMG activity at longer IOD.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall the findings support the notion that craniofacial morphology is associated with differences in neuromuscular activity of the masticatory muscles, and suggest that the neuromuscular effects of oral appliances may be dependent on patients' craniofacial morphology and the thickness of the device. (247/250 words).

[Craniomandibular relations and anti-gravity posture: stabilometric study disclusion wedges]

Cephalometric parameters are thought to influence static posture. The present work evaluates the relationships between skeletal class or facial divergency, on one hand, and body posture, on the other hand. ANB and FMA angles were measured from profile cephalograms in twenty healthy adults. From each, stabilograms were recorded, with eyes open or shut, and with or without disclusion splints. Without splints, ANB and FMA proved to correlate with the accuracy of postural control. Adding splints changes the average position of the center of pressure exerted on the ground by the body, the anterior-posterior axis, and this effect is consistent with that of the typology. It also alters the displacement of the center of pressure on the same axis. These effects depend on whether the eyes are open or closed. The data reinforces the notion of the impact of cephalometric parameters and their mechanical changes on the static posture. They invite us to take greater account of postural impact of splints used in orthodontic practice.

Alteration of masticatory electromyographic activity and stability of orthognathic surgery in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion

PURPOSE

The purposes of this study were to 1) investigate longitudinal changes in electromyographic masticatory activity subsequent to orthognathic surgery (OGS) in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion, and 2) compare masticatory muscle activity and skeletal factors in patients with stable versus relapsed mandibular positions after OGS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A consecutive series of patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion who underwent 2-jaw OGS (35 patients, 17 men and 18 women; age, 24.5 ± 5.0 yr) were included. Lateral cephalometric films were obtained preoperatively (T1), 1 month after OGS (T2), and at completion of orthodontic treatment (T3). Serial cephalometric tracings and analyses were obtained. Surface electromyograms of the anterior temporalis and masseter muscles were recorded at T1, T2, and T3 (6 mo after OGS). Resting tonus, maximum voluntary clench with habitual intercuspation and on cotton pads, and maximum muscle firing were evaluated. Percentage of overlapping coefficient and torque coefficient were calculated. Patients were categorized further into stable and relapse groups according to the sagittal relapse rate of mandibular setback. These surface electromyographic variables were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

On average, the mandible showed a significant setback of 10.19 mm and a relapse of 1.12 mm (10.99%). Surgical relapse did not correlate with gender or genioplasty. Serial surface electromyographic data indicated a significant decrease from T1 to T2 that then recovered from T2 to T3. No significant difference between T1 and T3 was noted. Percentage of overlapping coefficient was significantly decreased after OGS. The torque coefficient did not differ significantly from T1 to T3. The relapse group (relapse, >11%; n = 15) had a greater resting tonus of the anterior temporalis muscle at T3, a larger percentage of overlapping coefficient at T1, and a greater maximum voluntary clench of the masseter muscles at all times than in the stable group (n = 20). The relapse group exhibited a greater decrease in facial height (2.18 mm) from T2 to T3 than did the stable group (0.5 mm).

CONCLUSION

A larger sagittal relapse of mandibular setback occurred in patients with greater masticatory muscle activity. Modifications in surgical design and overcorrection should be considered in patients with greater masticatory muscle activity before OGS.

Lip competence in Class III patients undergoing orthognathic surgery: an electromyographic study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the presurgical and postsurgical electromyographic (EMG) activities of the lips in patients with skeletal Class III treated with combined orthognathic surgery and contrast these data with those obtained from a control group with skeletal Class I.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ten patients with skeletal Class III underwent the registration of EMG activity before an orthognathic surgical procedure and 4 months after surgery. The results were compared with a control group of 11 healthy patients with skeletal Class I and clinical and EMG lip competence. EMG activity was recorded from the upper orbicularis oris and mentalis muscles during swallowing, lips in contact (LC), and lips apart (LA) using bipolar surface electrodes. The competence condition was assessed by determining the difference in the EMG activity of the mentalis muscle (LC-LA ≤0 for lip competence).

RESULTS

Patients with skeletal Class III showed greater EMG activity than the control group before and after surgery. Patients with skeletal Class III showed a significantly greater difference in LC-LA than the control group before surgery for the 2 muscles (P < .05). No significant difference was found between the skeletal Class III group after surgery and the control group for the mentalis muscle (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Four months after treatment with orthognathic surgery, patients with skeletal Class III and an initial muscle activity pattern of lip incompetence different from the control group (P < .05) showed EMG values compatible with lip competence. These values were similar to the control group.

EMG spectral characteristics of masticatory muscles and upper trapezius during maximum voluntary teeth clenching

To assess the surface electromyographic spectral characteristics of masticatory and neck muscles during the performance of maximum voluntary clench (MVC) tasks, 29 healthy young adults (15 men, 14 women, mean age 22years) were examined. Electromyography of masseter, temporalis and upper trapezius muscles was performed during 5-s MVCs either on cotton rolls or in intercuspal position. Using a fast Fourier transform, the median power frequency (MPF) was obtained for the first and last seconds of clench, and compared between sexes, muscles, sides, tests and time intervals using ANOVAs. On average, the MPFs did not differ between sexes or sides (p>0.05), but significant effects of muscle (MPF temporalis larger than masseter, larger than trapezius muscles), test (larger MPFs when clenching in intercuspal position than when clenching on cotton rolls) and time (larger MPFs in the first than in the fifth second of clench) were found. In conclusion, a set of data to characterize the sEMG spectral characteristics of jaw and neck muscles in young adult subjects performing MVC tasks currently in use within the dental field was obtained. Reference values may assist in the assessment of patients with alterations in the cranio-cervical-mandibular system.

Relationship between the angle of the coronoid process of the mandible and the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle in skeletal Class I and III individuals

The aim of the present study was to verify the relationship between the angle of the coronoid process of the mandible in the latero-lateral direction and electromyographic activity of the anterior part of the temporal muscle in skeletal Class I and III individuals. Forty-five volunteers were assessed subdivided into two groups, according to angle ANB, in Class I and III. Two radiographic examinations were performed, one lateral cephalogram to measure angle ANB and one frontal cephalogram to measure the angle of the coronoid process. The electromyographic examination of the volunteers' temporal muscles was performed. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the relationship between the angle of the coronoid process and the skeletal class was negative for both classes analysed. The relationship between electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle and angle of the coronoid process was negative for Class I individuals. In the Class III group, smaller angles of the coronoid process were related to higher values of electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle. There was no statistically significant difference between the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle in skeletal Class I and III individuals. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that there was no influence of the skeletal classes analysed on the angle of the coronoid; the angle of the coronoid process may be influenced by the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle in the Class III group; the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle is not influenced by the skeletal class in Class III individuals.

The adaptive response of jaw muscles to varying functional demands

Jaw muscles are versatile entities that are able to adapt their anatomical characteristics, such as size, cross-sectional area, and fibre properties, to altered functional demands. The dynamic nature of muscle fibres allows them to change their phenotype to optimize the required contractile function while minimizing energy use. Changes in these anatomical parameters are associated with changes in neuromuscular activity as the pattern of muscle activation by the central nervous system plays an important role in the modulation of muscle properties. This review summarizes the adaptive response of jaw muscles to various stimuli or perturbations in the orofacial system and addresses general changes in muscles as they adapt, specific adaptive changes in jaw muscles under various physiologic and pathologic conditions, and their adaptive response to non-surgical and surgical therapeutic interventions. Although the jaw muscles are used concertedly in the masticatory system, their adaptive changes are not always uniform and vary with the nature, intensity, and duration of the stimulus. In general, stretch, increases neuromuscular activity, and resistance training result in hypertrophy, elicits increases in mitochondrial content and cross-sectional area of the fibres, and may change the fibre-type composition of the muscle towards a larger percentage of slow-type fibres. In contrast, changes in the opposite direction occur when neuromuscular activity is reduced, the muscle is immobilized in a shortened position, or paralysed. The broad range of stimuli that affect the properties of jaw muscles might help explain the large variability in the anatomical and physiological characteristics found among individuals, muscles, and muscle portions.

Estudo eletromiográfico da deglutição na musculatura supra-hióidea em sujeitos Classe Ie III de Angle

OBJETIVO: comparar a atividade elétrica do músculo supra-hióideo durante a deglutição em sujeitos com distintos padrões morfológicos e dentários. MÉTODOS: foram realizados registros eletromiográficos de superfície em 32 voluntários saudáveis e sem Disfunção Temporomandibular, subdivididos em dois grupos, 16 sujeitos Classes I e 16 Classe III de Angle, gênero masculino e feminino, com faixa etária entre 18 e 25 anos de idade. RESULTADOS: foram obtidos os valores do Root Mens Square (p< 0,05): original Classe I (15,238) e Classe III (32,550); normalizado pelo pico máximo Classe I (29,765) e Classe III (42,094); normalizado pela média Classe I (29,332) e Classe III (42,327). Período ativo do ciclo (p<0,05) Classe I (29,7648) e Classe III (42,0937); instante de máxima atividade (p>0,05) Classe I (47,6485) e Classe III (47,9437). CONCLUSÃO: os sujeitos Classe I demonstraram uma amplitude média menor, com aumento e diminuição da atividade elétrica sincrônica e equilibrada. Os sujeitos Classe III apresentaram uma amplitude média e um período ativo maior, assincrônico e desequilibrado durante a deglutição.