A Cross-sectional Observational Study to Assess Mastication Muscle Function by Using Surface Electromyography

Abstract

Background- Patients with different malocclusions may show the different activities of masticatory muscle. Masticatory muscle with neuromuscular disorder can act as an aggravating factor for a malocclusion. Patients may adopt faulty masticatory positions in case of different malocclusion, which may cause interference during orthodontic treatment. It mainly depends on muscle function or expression while recording. Aim- The current study is to evaluate the muscles’ activity using surface electromyography in the masseter, temporalis, and buccinator muscles in different malocclusions at rest, and during chewing and clenching. Material and Methods- A Total of 39 patients were examined and they were divided into 3 groups based on Angle’s classification of malocclusion- Group 1- Class I malocclusion, Group 2 – Class II malocclusion, and Group 3- Class III malocclusion. Result- At rest position, Group-1 subjects showed higher muscle function in the masseter and temporalis muscle (Mean- 18.54 ± 5.22 and 13.42 ± 4.16 respectively). Whereas, Buccinator showed enhanced performance in Group 1 subjects during chewing (Mean52.31 ± 8.98). However, no gender-wise discrepancy in the muscles was found during any of the masticatory functions or malocclusions. Conclusion- Patients with Class I malocclusion showed higher masseter activity than patients with Class II and Class III malocclusions. No gender-wise discrepancy was found in the muscle function during any of the masticatory functions or malocclusions.