Electromyographic study on the effect of relining removable partial dentures

Abstract

We used electromyography to evaluate the effect of relining removable partial dentures. Electromyograms (EMG) of the bilateral anterior temporalis and masseter muscles were recorded before relining and for two weeks after on eight patients, together with mandibular kinesiograph (MKG) motions during tapping, clenching and mastication of peanuts and raisins. During tapping and mastication, the parameters analyzed were the EMG time parameters (duration, interval, and cycle time), their integrated values, and their respective averages and coefficients of variation (CV). The mean voltage was also measured during clenching. The CV for the EMG time parameters and integrated EMG during mastication of peanuts and raisins were significantly lower immediately after relining and one and two weeks after relining when compared with the situation before relining. EMG burst activity during clenching and during mastication of peanuts and raisins was significantly greater immediately after relining compared with before relining. The results indicated that the CV of EMG time parameters and integrated EMG and EMG burst activities during clenching and mastication are effective parameters for evaluating denture relining.