Reducing condylar compression in clenching patients

The two major muscle groups used during clenching activity are the masseter and temporalis muscles. EMG readings of the masseter and temporalis muscle s rise significantly during times of macro-clenching. Clenching occurs when the masseter and temporalis muscles contract, pulling the mandible superio rly. The continued contraction of the masseter and temporalis muscles resul ts in compression forces on the teeth and temporomandibular joints. Theoret ical joint loading models are utilized to demonstrate the load on the TMJ d ue to forces generated by the masseter and temporalis muscles. This study measures the EMG readings during bilateral macro-contraction of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles. An appliance is fabricated to disengage the posterior teeth and a second series of EMG readings are take n to record lowered EMG readings. The vector forces of the reduced EMG's re cordings demonstrate reduced condylar compression during macro-clenching.