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 (T0) 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 T0 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.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tommaso Castroflorio

Dr. Tommaso Castroflorio received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Torino, Italy in 1998 and his post graduated degree in orthodontics from the same university in 2001. Since 1998, he has been in practice at the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology of the University of Torino. He is a Ph.D. candidate in human morphology at the University of Milan and a lecturer at the Specialization School of Orthodontics, University of Torino. He also cooperates with the Neuromuscular System Engineering Laboratory (LISIN) of the Department of Electronics of Politecnico di Torino and the Center for Sensory- Motor Interaction of the Aalborg University (Denmark). His research work focuses on muscle physiology and surface electromyography.

Cristina Titolo

Dr. Cristina Titolo received her D.D.S. degree with distinction from the University of Torino, Italy in 2004. She is an orthodontic specialist candidate at the same university. Since 2003, she has been in practice at the Specialization School of Orthodontics of the University of Torino. Her work focuses on the electromyographic control of functional therapy.

Andrea Deregibus

Dr. Andrea Deregibus received his M.D. degree from the University of Torino, Italy in 1979 and D.D.S. degree in 1983 from the same university. Since graduation, he has worked in orthodontic and gnathological research at the Dental School of the University of Torino in cooperation with the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology. Currently, he is a researcher at the Section for Pathophysiology of Headache and Facial Pain of the University of Torino with teaching and clinical assistance assignments. He is a Master of I.C.C.M.O.

Cesare Debernardi

Dr. Cesare Debernardi received his degree in medicine and surgery in 1979 and his D.D.S. in 1982. He was a researcher in odontostomatology at the University of Torino in 1982 and developed his interest in the field of orthodontics, gnathology, and occlusal therapy. Since 2002, he is a full professor of odontostomatology. His research work is focused on the periodontal aspects of the orthodontic therapies.

Pietro Bracco

Dr. Pietro Bracco received his M.D. degree from the University of Torino in 1967, his D.D.S. degree from the same university in 1969 and his D.O.S. degree from the University of Milano in 1979. Prof. Bracco’s main activity relates to gnathology and orthodontic clinical research. For many years, he was Dean at the Dental School of the University of Torino. Currently, he is chairman of the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology of the University of Torino and director of the Specialization School of Orthodontics of the same university, He has been coordinator and tutor of many doctoral programs in gnathology and orthodontics. He is an author of more than 300 scientific papers and has lectured nationally and internationally in his field. He is a Master of I.C.C.M.O.