Influence of variation in jaw posture on sternocleidomastoid and trapezius electromyographic activity

This study was conducted in order to determine the influence of variation in the occlusal contacts on electromyographic (EMG) cervical activity in 20 patients with myogenic cranio-cervical-mandibular dysfunction. EMG recordings during maximal voluntary clenching were performed by placing surface electrodes on the left sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles in the following conditions: intercuspal position; edge to edge left laterotrusive contacts (ipsilateral); edge to edge right laterotrusive contacts (contralateral); edge to edge protrusive contacts; and retrusive occlusal contacts. A significant higher EMG activity was recorded in both muscles during maximal voluntary clenching in retrusive occlusal contact position, whereas no significant differences in EMG activity were observed between intercuspal position, ipsilateral, contralateral and protrusive contact positions. The EMG pattern observed suggests that a more frequent intensity and duration of tooth clenching in retrusive occlusal contact position could result in more clinical symptomatology in these cervical muscles in patients with myogenic cranio-cervical-mandibular dysfunction.