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. 2017 May 1;9(5):e635-e640.
doi: 10.4317/jced.53544. eCollection 2017 May.

Longitudinal effects of rapid maxillary expansion on masticatory muscles activity

Elena Di Palma  1 , Michele Tepedino  1 , Claudio Chimenti  2 , Gianluca M Tartaglia  3 , Chiarella Sforza  4
Affiliations

Longitudinal effects of rapid maxillary expansion on masticatory muscles activity

Elena Di Palma et al. J Clin Exp Dent. .

Abstract

Background: To investigate the modifications induced by rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the electromyographic (EMG) activities of the anterior temporal and superficial masseter muscles, in patients without pre-treatment EMG alterations.

Material and methods: Twenty-one patients with unilateral posterior cross-bite selected from the orthodontic department of the University of L'Aquila (Italy), were enrolled. There was no control group in this study since each subject acted as a control of her/himself. Two surface EMG recordings were taken: T0 (before RME) and at T1 (3 month after the end of expansion). To verify the neuromuscular equilibrium, the EMG activities of both right and left masseter and anterior temporal muscles were recorded during a test of maximum clench. EMG indexes were compared by paired Student's t-test.

Results: In both occasions, all indices showed a good symmetry between the right and left side masticatory muscles. No statistically significant differences were found between the two recordings.

Conclusions: In children without pre-treatment EMG alterations, no variations in standardized muscular activity after RME were found. The treatment did not alter the equilibrium of the masseter and temporal muscles. Key words:Rapid maxillary expansion, electromyography, masticatory muscles.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement:The authors deny any conflicts of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hyrax appliance bonded to first molars and first premolars.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Positioning of the electrodes according to the SENIAM recommendation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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