title: The orthodontic treatment of TMD patients: EMG effects of a functional appliance.
abstract: The aim of this work was to test the effects of the Function Generator Bite (FGB) on the masticatory muscles of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) subjects. Two groups were selected for the study. A group of 20 TMD patients (group F) requiring orthodontic treatment and treated with FGB and a group of 10 healthy subjects (group H) were considered. Both groups were evaluated before the therapy began (TO) and then after 18 months of therapy (T1). An electromyographic analysis of the masseter and temporalis anterior muscles and a clinical evaluation according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) were performed. A statistical difference between the two groups was observed at TO with respect to the activity index. TMD subjects showed a lower value of the index. Further studies are necessary to fully understand the utility of this EMG index as a diagnostic indicator.
authors: Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology of the University of Torino, Italy. tcastroflorio@libero.it
authors: Tommaso
authors: T
authors: Castroflorio
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Titolo
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Deregibus
authors: Cesare
authors: C
authors: Debernardi
authors: Pietro
authors: P
authors: Bracco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000502:physiology*; D017289:Orthodontic Appliances, Functional; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000502:physiology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*