Influence of an occlusal splint on integrated electromyography of the masseter muscles

In order to examine the effect of an occlusal splint on the integrated electromyography (EMG) of the masticatory muscles, EMG of bilateral masseter muscles of 23 patients with temporomandibular joint disturbance syndrome (TMJDS), with and without an occlusal splint, was measured and integrated on line during maximum clenching. It was found that the integrated myoelectrical value of the masseter muscle on the involved and non-involved side was reduced with the occlusal splint. The absolute difference between integrated myoelectrical values in the left and right masseter muscles was reduced with an occlusal splint, but the relative difference remained virtually unchanged. These results indicate that the occlusal splint can decrease masseter muscle activity and thus exert a therapeutic effect.