ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (EMG)

EMG measures the electrical activity of various sets of muscles of the head and neck to determine their state of activity, both at rest and during simple functional tasks like clenching, swallowing, standing and sitting.

This information sheds light on the muscular components of the TMJ problems EMG studies allow the dentist to determine if there is a postural problem contributing to theTMJ problem.

"Happy muscles" are those with very little electrical activity at rest, work together in harmony and fire up completely and strongly in function.

"Unhappy muscles" are tense, sore and spastic. Often, they are too active at rest, are not in balance and do not fire up fully in function. These unhappy muscles can contribute or cause a wide assortment of problems found in TMJ disorders (TMD) or they may well be the end result of a structural or bite problem.

Hyperactivity vs. Relaxed

Swallowing is a critical function that takes place approximately 2000 X per day. EMG studies of swallowing provide accurate information on the swallow function. Abnormal swallow patterns are associated with muscle dysfunction and pain.