Evaluation of masticatory efficiency in maxillofacial trauma patients following occlusal rehabilitation - A clinical study

Background: Some amount of occlusal discrepancies exist despite of the latest developments in the treatment of fractured jaw bones which may vary from mild to severe which inturn leads to decreased post operative muscle efficiency. Occlusal rehabilitation has been carried out to reduce such discrepancies. This study is aimed to evaluate this post operative muscle efficiency following occlusal rehabilitation with the help of surface electromyography. Materials and methods: Twenty patients who underwent surgical treatment for maxillofacial trauma and required correction for post operative occlusal discrepancies were selected. Pre and post occlusal rehabilitative masticatory efficiency was compared with surface electromyography. Results: The study revealed a definite increase in masticatory efficiency after post occlusal rehabilitative therapy both in right and left masseter muscle. The mean EMG record values for pre and post occlusal rehabilitation were found to be respectively 826.7 (SD – 179.48) and 1134.01 (SD219.02) in the right side, 775.66 (SD187.51) and 1067.45 (SD197.75) in the left side. Conclusion: Correction of post operative occlusal discrepancies definitely benefits the patients to exert better masticatory efficiency. Correspondence to: Santosh Kumar Yadav, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur-10, P.O. Box-24, Chitwan, Nepal, Email: [email protected]