[Analysis of mastication in normal and dysfunctional subjects]

A computer based system to asses mandibular movements and EMG masseter and temporal muscle activity during habitual mastication was applied to 12 healthy subjects and to 86 dysfunctional subjects, the chewing performance was tested with a standardized bolus of crispy bread. A Siemens Sirognathograph instrument was used to record mandibular movements, while EMG signals were recorded with surface Ag/AgCl electrodes. The Dysfunction Index System was used to build two subgroups of patients with severe TMJ impairment (n = 21) and severe muscle dysfunction (n = 15) respectively. Data on the different parameters of mastication were obtained for the single patients, the whole group and the two subgroups were statistically compared together with those obtained from normal individuals.