ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF MASTICATORY MUSCLES IN NASAL AND ORAL BREATHING MODES

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics
• Physiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Breathing patterns (nasal, oral) are linked to orthodontic anomalies and respiratory disorders.
• Masticatory apparatus function varies significantly between nasal and oral breathing modes.
• Assessing these functional differences is crucial for evaluating orthodontic dysfunction and tailoring treatment plans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the bilateral electrophysiologic characteristics of masticatory muscles during nasal and oral breathing.
• To investigate the relationship between breathing type and neuromuscular activity in the masticatory muscles.

Main Methods:

• Electromyographic recording of masticatory muscles (masseter, temporalis) during maximal voluntary contraction.
• Study involved 22 healthy women aged 18-30 with complete dentition.
• Normalized electromyographic recording protocol used for standardized clenching on a cotton roll.

Main Results:

• Nasal breathing demonstrated homogenous and symmetric electromyographic activity in masseter and temporalis muscles.
• Oral breathing showed dissociated electromyographic indicators, suggesting reduced and asymmetric muscle contractility.
• Reduced muscle activity in oral breathers is attributed to the recruitment of fewer, less excitable motor units.

Conclusions:

• Electrophysiological data of masticatory muscles can assess the degree of orthodontic dysfunction.
• Findings support the use of neuromuscular balance assessment for developing individualized orthodontic treatment plans.
• Breathing mode significantly influences masticatory muscle function and neuromuscular control.