Evaluation of masticatory muscles function in different malocclusion cases using surface electromyography

Abstract

A malocclusion is a misalignment or incorrect relation between the teeth of the two dental arches when they approach each other as the jaws close. It has been suggested that masticatory function varies in relation to different malocclusion. Thereby, masticatory muscle can be affected with different malocclusion as masticatory process is related with this. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of masticatory muscles (masseter and temporalis muscles) in patient with different malocclusion by surface electromyography (sEMG). On masticatory muscle, twenty eight patients (13 male and 15 female) were assessed by using sEMG and the results compared between gender and different malocclusions. Male and female group in left masseter muscle during chewing and right temporalis muscle during clenching. No significant difference (p>0.05) for class I, II and III malocclusion, except right temporalis muscle showed significant difference (p=0.010) on clenching. In conclusion, the function of the masticatory muscles were varies between male and female and different malocclusion of class I, II and III.