Biomedical subjects

G Tempia-Valenta

Publications and source records attributed to G Tempia-Valenta.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1989

[Analysis of mastication in normal and dysfunctional subjects].

A computer based system to asses mandibular movements and EMG masseter and temporal muscle activity during habitual mastication was applied to 12 healthy subjects and to 86 dysfunctional subjects, the chewing performance was tested with a standardized bolus of crispy bread. A Siemens Sirognathograph instrument was used to record mandibular movements, while EMG signals were recorded with surface Ag/AgCl electrodes. The Dysfunction Index System was used to build two subgroups of patients with severe TMJ impairment (n = 21) and severe muscle dysfunction (n = 15) respectively. Data on the different parameters of mastication were obtained for the single patients, the whole group and the two subgroups were statistically compared together with those obtained from normal individuals.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Habitual mastication in dysfunction: a computer-based analysis.

To study the different parameters of habitual mastication in stomatognathic dysfunction, mandibular movements and electromyographic activity of the elevator muscles were recorded during three chewing sequences in 86 dysfunctional subjects. The Dysfunction Index system was used to treat two subgroups, patients with severe temporomandibular joint impairment and patients with severe muscle dysfunction. Data on the different parameters of mastication from the single patients, the whole group, and the two subgroups were statistically assessed and compared with those from 12 normal individuals. The following conclusions were drawn. (1) In dysfunctional patients the normal symmetrical and balanced distribution of the chewing cycles is lost and movements are more restricted. (2) The electromyographic data show marked alterations with a tendency to reduce or suppress the isometric phase of contraction during closing in the temporomandibular joint patients. This can be viewed as a defensive mechanism of the impaired system. (3) The data at hand are helpful in explaining some of the mechanisms that lead to muscle pain in dysfunctional patients.

Electromyography↗

PubMed1986

Computer-based assessment of habitual mastication.

A computer-based system to assess mandibular movements and EMG masseter and temporal muscle activity during habitual mastication was applied to 12 healthy subjects and the chewing performance was tested with a standardized bolus of crisp bread. A Siemens Sirognatograph instrument was used to record mandibular movements while EMG signals were recorded with surface silver-silver electrodes. Software provided data of single chewing cycles in space and versus time, of mean mandibular displacement during opening and closing, mean velocity, and EMG activity. Clockwise and counterclockwise cycles were computed separately. The data obtained allow the following conclusions: Habitual mastication is a rhythmic event with different envelopes of motion that alternate characteristically in each subject. Each chewing cycle accomplishes several tasks but, depending on its envelope, is probably more oriented to a specific performance. A mean chewing cycle can be constructed for each individual. Its pattern depends on the distribution of different envelopes of motion that alternate during the masticatory sequence. During closure, a prevalently isotonic and a prevalently isometric phase of muscle contraction can be distinguished. Mean movement and EMG data for the whole group are not distributed at random, but according to a typical pattern. The system seems to be finalized to a well-balanced function and distribution of loads.

Adolescent↗