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Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the immediate effect of resilient splints through surface electromyography testing and to compare the findings with the electromyographic profiles of asymptomatic subjects. The participants were 30 subjects, 15 patients with TMD (TMD Group) and 15 healthy subjects (Control Group), classified according to Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD) Axis I. A resilient occlusal splint was made for each patient in the TMD Group from two mm thick silicon to cover all teeth. The EMG examination was performed before and immediately after installing the splint. Three tests were performed as follows: 1. Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) using cotton rolls (standards test); 2. MVC in maximal intercuspation position; and 3. MVC with the splint in position. The EMG signal was recorded for five seconds. EMG indices were calculated to assess muscle symmetry, jaw torque, and impact. There was a statistically significant difference when comparing the results among the study groups. The symmetry index values in the Control Group were higher than the TMD Initial Group and similar to the TMD Group after the installation of the splint. The index values of torque were higher in TMD Initial Group when compared with the Controls. Impact values were lower than normal values in the TMD Initial Group and restored upon installation of the splint. The resilient occlusal splints may be used as complementary or adjunctive treatment of temporomandibular disorders.
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Notes on contributors
André Luís Botelho
Dr. André Luís Botelho received his D.D.S. degree from the Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FORP-USP) in 2006 and his master's degree in Restorative Dentistry from FORP-USP in 2008. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. degree at the Department of Restorative Dentistry, FORP-USP, Brazil and is a student of the UNIALA program at the Department of Human Morphology and Biomedical Sciences “città studi,” Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan - Italy.
Bruno Caetano Silva
Bruno Caetano Silva is student pursuing his D.D.S. degree at the Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Flávio Henrique Gentil
Dr. Flávio Henrique Umeda Gentil received his D.D.S. degree from the Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo in 2006. Currently, he is pursuing a master's degree at the Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Chiarella Sforza
Dr. Chiarella Sforza received her M.D. degree from the University of Milan, Italy in 1986 and her Ph.D. degree in sports medicine in 1989 from the same University. She is a professor of human anatomy at the Medical and Dental School of Milan University, and Director of the Laboratory of Functional Anatomy of the Stomatognathic Apparatus (Dept. Human Morphology and Biomedical Sciences "Città Studi," University of Milan). She has been involved in research on the functional anatomy of the stomatognathic apparatus and on the anatomical bases of stomatognathic function and dysfunction. She has authored/coauthored 210 publications indexed in PubMed.
Marco Antonio Moreira da Silva
Dr. Marco Antonio Moreira Rodrigues da Silva received his D.D.S. degree in 1974 and a Ph.D. in oral rehabilitation in 1991 from the Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo. He is a professor at the Department of Restorative Dentistry of the Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil and a specialist in TMD and orofacial pain, recognized by the Federal Council of Dentistry.