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Masseter muscle activity in denture wearers with superior and poor masticatory performance
N R Garrett1, M Kaurich, P Perez
1Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Denture wearers with better chewing ability use more balanced masseter muscle force. This study found superior chewing performance correlates with more equal bilateral muscle activity, not greater force.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oral Health
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Masticatory performance in denture wearers is crucial for nutrition and quality of life.
- Understanding the biomechanics of chewing in relation to denture use is essential for improving oral function.
- Previous research has explored factors influencing chewing efficiency, but the specific role of masseter muscle activation patterns requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that denture wearers with superior and poor chewing ability utilize similar masseter muscle effort and biting forces.
- To investigate the relationship between chewing performance, masseter muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity, and bite force in denture wearers.
- To identify differences in muscle activation patterns during mastication between individuals with varying levels of chewing ability.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 70 denture wearers, categorized into superior (SP) and poor (PP) performance groups.
- Masticatory performance, swallowing threshold tests, and masseter muscle EMG activity were recorded during chewing of peanuts and carrots.
- Peak bite force was estimated using bite force-EMG ratios derived from maximal biting trials.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in peak bite force or total mean masseter EMG activity between the SP and PP groups.
- Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the ratios of preferred to non-preferred side masseter EMG activity.
- The SP group exhibited more balanced bilateral muscle activity (ratios of 1.2-1.3), while the PP group showed predominantly unilateral activity (ratio of 1.8).
Conclusions:
- Improved chewing ability in denture wearers is associated with more equivalent force application by the right and left masseter muscles during unilateral chewing.
- Chewing efficiency is influenced by the pattern of muscle activation rather than solely by the magnitude of biting force or overall muscle effort.
- These findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving denture wearer mastication should consider optimizing bilateral muscle coordination.