Jaw muscle activity in complete denture wearers--a longitudinal electromyographic study

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Dental Prosthetics
• Neuromuscular Dentistry

Background:

• Complete dentures can alter the natural jaw and occlusal relationships.
• Residual ridge resorption and denture settling are common phenomena affecting denture fit and function over time.
• Understanding the impact of these changes on jaw muscle activity is crucial for prosthetic success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the electromyographic (EMG) activity of jaw closing muscles in subjects wearing immediate complete dentures.
• To determine if alterations in jaw and occlusal relationships affect masticatory muscle function.

Main Methods:

• Electromyography (EMG) was used to record the activity of jaw closing muscles.
• Subjects were fitted with immediate complete upper and lower dentures.
• Biting actions were recorded to analyze muscle activity patterns.

Main Results:

• Marked alterations in the activity of jaw closing muscles were observed during biting actions.
• These changes indicate a significant impact of immediate complete dentures on masticatory muscle function.

Conclusions:

• Immediate complete dentures, along with changes from residual ridge resorption and denture settling, significantly affect jaw muscle activity.
• Further analysis will explore the relationship between EMG findings and morphological changes.