Clenched jaw jerks in children

Masseter muscle silent periods were assessed in 24 children divided into three groups according to their stage of dental development (primary, mixed, and permanent). Surface electrode EMG data, timing code, and microphone input were recorded on magnetic tape. A visual record was obtained by playing the tape into an optical oscillograph; measurements were made from the photosensitive paper. The results indicate the latency and silent period durations of clenched jaw jerks were similar among the three groups. For the subjects in this study, the mean latency and silent period durations of the masseter muscle during clenched jaw jerks were 14.9 ms (milli-seconds) and 27.0 ms.