Masticatory muscle Activity in Individuals with Temporomandibular Disorder

Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate features related to EMG-activity of masticatory muscles in subjects with TMD. materials and methods: The study comprised 22 patients with clinical symptoms of TMD. The average age of the subjects was 29.3 ± 4.4 years. Malocclusion was evaluated according to Angle classification, TMD – according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD). Registration of EMG-activity of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles was performed during maximum voluntary clenching, clenching on the right and left sides. Results: Normal activity of the masticatory muscles is characterized by symmetrical and EMG-activity of the masticatory muscles on the left and right sides. EMG-activity of masticatory muscles in subjects with TMD are characterized by: 1) increased values of EMG-activity of temporal and masseter muscles; 2) disproportional and asymmetric muscle work of the masticatory muscles on the right and left sides. Conclusions: Features of masticatory muscles activity in individuals with Angle Class I malocclusion and TMD were found.