This study investigated mandibular displacement and masticatory muscle activity during clenching in lateral occlusal position in relation to the lateral occlusal pattern. Twenty healthy human subjects (mean = 26.5 years) volunteered for this study. Metallic occlusal overlays were fabricated for the lower working side canine to second molar and non-working side second molar in order to simulate a canine protected occlusion, group function occlusion and bilateral balanced occlusion (balancing contact). Three-dimensional displacements of the bilateral condyle and electromyography (EMG) activities in the bilateral masseter, anterior and posterior temporalis were recorded during maximal clenching. The experimental occlusal pattern was revealed to have statistically significant effects on both condylar displacement and EMG activity (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). When compared to the simulated group function occlusion, the simulated canine protected occlusion and balancing contact caused statistically significant smaller superior displacements of the non-working side condyle, which suggests that they may result in reduced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) loading. Furthermore, the simulated canine protected occlusion was associated with the lowest EMG activity, which suggests that this occlusal pattern has the capacity to reduce the level of parafunctional activity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between occlusal contacts, responses of muscles, and jaw movements during simulated clenching. Seven healthy human males who possessed complete natural dental arches with normal occlusion, ranging from 24 to 29 years of age, volunteered for this study. Acrylic occlusal stops were fabricated for the lower jaw to simulate various occlusal conditions. Vertical movements of the lower jaw were measured by four sets of linear variable differential transformers. Simultaneously, electromyographic (EMG) activity from the bilateral masseter and anterior temporal muscles was measured. Under experimentally altered occlusal conditions, the subjects performed clenching tasks at 50% of their maximal voluntary contraction level. Analysis of EMG responses revealed clenching on the unilateral occlusal support tended to cause a unilateral activity of the ipsilateral anterior temporalis. Analysis of the movement amplitude revealed a significant difference between the experimental occlusal conditions (P < 0.05). Clenching on unilateral occlusal stops caused a larger upward movement on the contralateral side. Bilateral first premolar clenching without molar support caused a larger upward movement of the mandible in the posterior region, whereas bilateral second molar clenching did not cause a significant upward movement.

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Several diagnostic criteria for bruxism can be taken from the literature; however, most of them have never been validated. This study examined whether predictor variables taken from physical examinations and questionnaires were related to the actual bruxism levels. Fifty dental students agreed to participate in this study and eight examination variables and seven questionnaire variables were collected from them. The subjects measured their nocturnal EMG activity from the right masseter muscle for six consecutive nights in their home by means of a portable EMG device. Off‐line analysis was performed on data from second to sixth nights. By using a custom made software, all EMG activity elevations above a minimum threshold of 50% of each subject's individually established maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) level were quantified with regard to the duration and number of elevations and then three outcome variables, which were event number per hour (number/h), event duration per hour (duration h−1), and duration per event (duration/event), were calculated. A multiple stepwise regression (MSR) analysis was conducted to assess the 15 predictor variables and the three outcome variables. These MSR analyses revealed that the joint sound score remained in the regression equation as a predictor (n=50, P < 0·05) of the likelihood that a subject would exhibit longer bruxism events (duration h −1 and number h −1 ). It must be noted that the self‐awareness and tooth attrition status were found not to be strong predictors and even for the above variable where significant association was found, the likelihood ratio between the variable and predicted outcomes was not robust.

The short-term effects of the difference of occlusal splint contacts on the jaw function were investigated on five healthy subjects.The maxillary stabilization splint (S-type) was fabricated and sectioned into three parts: an anterior section (A-type) and two posterior sections (P-type) . These 3 types of splints were used for 10 days for each subject.The EMG activity of the masseter and the anterior and the posterior temporal muscles were measured during the maximum clenching in the intercuspal position and on the wearing splint. Subsequently on the bite force-measuring device with two transducers the bite and the EMG activity were measured during the maximum clenching, and the intercuspal occlusal contacts were recorded.The results were as follows: 1. After wearing the P-type, the total EMG activity during clenching in the intercuspal position was decreased, then increased after removal. 2. After wearing the S-type and the A-type the anteroposterior distribution of the bite force during clenching was changed, then returned after removal.3. After wearing the A-type, the occlusal contact area of the anterior teeth in the intercuspal position was decreased, then increased afterremoval, while after wearing the S-type and the P-type that of the posterior teeth was decreased, then increased after removal.