Electromyographic Analysis of the Masticatory Muscles in Cleft Lip and Palate Children With Temporomandibular Disorders

Electromyographic Analysis of the Masticatory Muscles in Cleft Lip and Palate Children With Pain-related Temporomandibular Disorders

The aim of this study was to assess the electrical activity of the temporal and masseter muscles in cleft lip and palate (CLP) children with pain-related temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and in CLP individuals with no TMD by means of surface electromyography (sEMG). Another objective was to determine the diagnostic value of electromyography in identifying CLP patients with temporomandibular disorders. The sample comprised 87 children with CLP and mixed dentition. The children were assessed for the presence of TMD using of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) by a single examiner. A DAB-Bluetooth Instrument (Zebris Medical GmbH, Germany) was used to take electromyographical (EMG) recordings of the temporal and masseter muscles both in the mandibular rest position and during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC).

Inclusion Criteria:

• presence of a cleft without a syndrome, a sequence, or karyotype abnormalities
• presence of mixed dentition

Exclusion Criteria:

• the presence of systemic or rheumatologic diseases
• a history of cervical spine or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery, trauma or malformations