title: Nocturnal electromyographic evaluation of myofascial pain dysfunction in patients undergoing occlusal splint therapy.
abstract: Twenty-five patients with symptoms of myofascial pain and abnormal jaw function were treated with use of a full arch maxillary occlusal splint. The level of nocturnal activity of the masseter muscle was monitored as were symptoms before, during, and after occlusal splint therapy. A decreased nocturnal EMG level during treatment was noted for 52% of the patients. A return to pretreatment EMG levels after removal of the splint was noticed in 92% of the patients; in 28% no change was shown and in 20%, an increase was shown in nocturnal EMG levels. The splint was most likely to reduce nocturnal EMG levels in patients with least severe symptoms.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D013165:Splints; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy