Effects of occlusal conditions on masseter and temporalis muscle activity: An electromyographic evaluation

Dental occlusion contributes to the development of temporomandibular disorder.

This case control study examined the influence of different occlusal conditions on the surface electromyography (sEMG) of the superficial part of the masseter muscle (MM) and anterior part of the temporalis muscle (TA) during clenching in the maximum intercuspal position (MIP).

Twelve healthy subjects had their anterior, right posterior, or left posterior teeth added by composite resin to generate the bilateral posterior, unilateral left, or unilateral right posterior tooth losses, respectively. Muscle activity in the resting stage, MM's and TA's maximum voluntary clenching (MVC; µV) in MIP, each muscle activity's symmetry (%), and ipsilateral MM and TA synergy (%) were measured by sEMG. All parameters were analyzed by SPSS version 23.0, and the significance level was set at p < 0.05.

The MM's and TA's sEMG activity at the resting stage significantly differed from those at the other occlusal conditions (p < 0.05). Both muscles' MVC were highest at the MIP during clenching but lowest during anterior clenching. During unilateral posterior clenching, such MVC was higher at the occluding than at the non-occluding sides. The TA's symmetry during clenching at the anterior and unilateral posterior teeth was lower than that at the MIP during clenching. No significant difference was seen in the ipsilateral MM and TA synergy.

Different occlusal conditions influenced the MM's and TA's sEMG activity. Each masticatory muscle responded differently to the same occlusal conditions.