Abstract
For the investigation of the functional change of the masticatory muscles along with growth and development, electromyographic evaluation was carried out.
The subjects were 6 children (5 males and 1 female) with full deciduous dentition(Hellman's dental age IIA)aged 4.5±O.2 years and 6 adults(4 males and 2 females)with full permanent dentition aged 27.7±3.8 years. EMG signals were recorded bilaterally by means of bipolar silver surface electrodes from the anterior temporal and masseter muscles when the subjects were chewing chewing gum or performing maximum clenches in intercuspal position.
The cumulative power values from 62.5 to 1000 Hz in the EMG power spectrum during chewing or clenching were calculated as the muscle action potential. The ratio of the action potential of each muscle to the total action potential of four muscles were analyzed. Masticatory rhythm during chewing was analyzed by means of the time parameter (duration, interval and cycle) and their coefficients of variation.
