The effect of prior jaw motion on the plot of electromyographic amplitude versus jaw position

Fabrication of interocclusal splint at a thickness determined by the vertical dimension at which the jaw muscle EMG amplitude is minimum has been recommended. However, the effect of prior jaw motion and the effect of the recording site on the EMG amplitudes and on the vertical dimension of minimum EMG activity have not been documented. IEMG amplitudes at various static jaw positions achieved during opening and during closing were analyzed in nine subjects. Surface IEMGs were recorded over the left anterior temporal muscle, left masseter and left suprahyoids muscles, and by nonspecific EMG recording as described by Rugh and Drago. The jaw position was recorded in 5 mm increments by a kinesiograph. After 30 seconds of relaxation, 10 successive IEMG reading at 4-second integration times were obtained at each recording site. These 10 recordings at each requested jaw position were averaged and analyzed. The IEMG activity changed with different jaw position. As the jaw opened from centric occlusion, the IEMG from jaw closing muscles decreased to a minimum and then increased with further opening. Moreover, the IEMG for a particular jaw position differed depending on the history of the jaw movement, that is, whether the position was achieved after an opening step or after a closing step. Two factors, the amount of jaw opening and the history of jaw movement to reach that position, seemed to influence the IEMG differently in each of the recorded muscles.