[Frequency analysis of the EMG power spectrum of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles in children and adults].

For the investigation of the functional change of the masticatory muscles along with growth and development, the frequency analysis of the EMG power spectrum 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 +/- 0.2 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 the intercuspal position. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm was used to obtain the power spectrum of the EMG signal. As the total power value from 62.5 to 1000 Hz was 100 per cent, the mean frequencies at 25, 50, 75 and 90 per cent of the cumulative power were calculated. The results were as follows: 1. The mean frequencies at each ratio of the cumulative power were age-dependent and EMG power spectrum patterns significantly shifted to lower frequencies in the muscles of the adults. 2. No statistically significant differences between the chewing and clenching, the anterior temporal and masseter muscle and the left and right side were observed in each group.