Related Experiment Videos
Can electrical stimulation be used to establish a physiologic occlusal position?
1Division of Fixed Prosthodontics, University of Montreal, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Que., Canada.
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
|October 1, 1988
Summary
The Myo-monitor instrument directly stimulates peripheral motoneuron axons, not causing reflex jaw muscle activation. This challenges its use for establishing reflexly controlled occlusal positions.
Area of Science:
- Neuromuscular physiology
- Biomedical engineering
- Dental occlusion
Background:
- The Myo-monitor is used to induce muscle contractions.
- Understanding its mechanism is crucial for its clinical application.
- Previous research suggested a lack of reflex activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of muscle contraction induced by the Myo-monitor.
- To determine if the Myo-monitor causes reflex activation of jaw closing muscles.
- To assess the validity of using the Myo-monitor for establishing occlusal positions.
Main Methods:
- Electromyographic (EMG) study.
- Investigation of neuromuscular stimulation patterns.
- Analysis of muscle response to the Myo-monitor stimulus.
Main Results:
- Data strongly suggest direct stimulation of distal motoneuron axons.
- Evidence indicates the stimulus does not elicit reflex activation of jaw closing muscles.
- The central nervous system is not involved in the stimulus response.
Conclusions:
- The Myo-monitor acts peripherally, directly stimulating motoneuron axons.
- The instrument's ability to produce a reflexly controlled occlusal position is questionable.
- There is no evidence supporting the use of reflex jaw closure for physiologic occlusion.