title: Electromyographic analysis of anterior temporalis and superficial masseter muscles in mandibular angle fractures--a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fracture of the mandible occurs more frequently and the surgical anatomy of the mandible and adjacent structures is extremely important in understanding the pattern of fracture, the displacement of fractured fragments, and factors necessary for uncomplicated healing. In the field of dentistry, surface electromyography, electrokinesiography, and more recently, TMJ sound analysis have been particularly important developments. Previous electromyographic studies involving anterior temporalis and superficial masseter have been conducted in mandibular condylar fractures and in orthognathic and cosmetic procedures of the jaws.
  
  
  METHODS
  This experimental study was undertaken to measure the electrical activity of the anterior temporalis and superficial masseter muscles in mandibular angle fracture cases (n = 6) and the changes in the electrical activity over a period of 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study shows that muscle activity increases significantly over a period of time but never matches the muscle activity of the normal subjects of same sex and age in a follow-up of 6 months post-trauma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electrodiagnostic testing is a potentially valuable tool for the management of patients who have suffered craniomaxillofacial trauma. Electromyography is being employed in clinical practice, and allows the inclusion of quantitative data on the qualitative aspects of a diagnosis. These data are often of significant importance in the correct management of therapy and patient follow-up, particularly if the subject is at risk of developing a different and/or more serious disease.
authors.affiliation: Christian Dental College, Brown Road, Ludhiana, India. saurabbither@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Saurab
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bither
authors.forename: Uma
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mahindra
authors.forename: Rajshekhar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Halli
authors.forename: Makarand
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakshi
authors.forename: Yogesh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kini
authors.forename: Mahendra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shende
authors.forename: Rupika
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bither
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001732:Bite Force; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012016:Reference Values; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology*