Immediate electromyographic response in masseter and temporal muscles to bite plates and stabilization splints.

The immediate influence on masticatory muscle activity of bite plates and stabilization splints was investigated in control subjects and patients with craniomandibular disorders. Electromyographic surface recordings were performed from the masseter and temporal muscles bilaterally with and without the appliances in situ. In the rest position, no significant change in average activity was registered in any muscle with either appliance. Activity during maximal biting on stabilization splints was not different from that without the appliance while bite plates caused a decrease in activity in both muscles in both groups. The reduced maximal activity was probably due to the smaller number and exclusively anterior positioned occlusal contacts on the bite plate.