Surface EMG of the Masticatory Muscles (Part 3): Impact of Changes to the Dynamic Occlusion

The third part of this literature review on the clinical relevance of surface electromyography (EMG) of the masticatory muscles summarizes the results of clinical studies in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), preferably randomized controlled trials, examining the impact of changes to the dynamic occlusion. Clenching in left and right laterotrusive positions results in decrease in EMG activity of masseter and temporalis muscles on both working and non-working side. Masseter muscle exhibits largely uniform bilateral activity in laterotrusive positions, independent of canine guidance or group function with and without nonworking side contacts. There is a dominance of temporalis muscle activity on the working side and, in case of posterior contacts and balancing contacts, temporalis muscle activity increases and changes from an unilateral to a symmetrical pattern. Keywords: electromyography, review, chewing, masticatory muscles, maximal voluntary contraction, symmetry, resting activity, oral rehabilitation