Electromyographic (EMG) activity versus bite force was studied during a gradually increased isometric contraction up to maximal effort for patients with painful masseter muscles and referents. The masseter muscle, the anterior temporal muscle and the descending part of the trapezius muscle were chosen for the recordings. Bite force was registered with a bite force sensor placed between the firs...

OBJECTIVE Previous reports indicated that between-muscle substitution of active motor unit pools can be found in a variety of synergist muscles, including shoulder and leg muscles, but little information is available for the masticatory muscles. We hypothesized that, during a prolonged clenching effort performed at low- to moderate-bite force levels, a substitution pattern of activity can be fo...

Introduction: The magnitude of bite force that is interpreted as clenching (imagined clenching level: ICL) in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the relationship between ICL and symptoms of TMD to evaluate the suitability of the term clenching for interpreting bite force in these patients. Methods: A total 76 patients (16 men, 60 women; age,...

This study was carried out to record maximum occlusal bite force (MOBF) among different dentition stages in children and to study the relation of occlusal bite force to weight, height, and gender. A total of 1011 children (500 females and 511 males) aged from 3 to 18 years were examined. The subjects were divided into 5 groups according to their dentition stage as the following:- early primary ...

The frequency content of the surface electromyogram (EMG) of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles of 14 normal adults was obtained during maximum clench in intercuspal position, as well as at different bite force levels. Frequency analysis was carried out by computer using a fast Fourier transform algorithm to obtain the power-spectral density function and the power spectrum of the EMG si...

This mixed, single-double blind study examined the effect of a stepwise increase in vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) on the isometric strength of cervical flexor and deltoid muscles in 20 asymptomatic females with deep bite (age range 20-40 years). Vertical dimension of occlusion was increased by mandibular acrylic bite plates, 2, 4, 6 and 12 mm. Subjects were instructed to bite while resi...