Nocturnal electromyographic evaluation of bruxism patients undergoing short term splint therapy

Eight confirmed bruxist subjects were investigated using portable electromyographic equipment. Nocturnal masseteric muscle activity, as measured by electromyography, was reduced immediately following the insertion of a full arch maxillary stabilization splint. It remained low until the splints were removed, at which time all but one subject's EMG values returned to pretreatment levels. Although the short term splint therapy did not show a permanent reduction in EMG levels, a dramatic reduction has been demonstrated during treatment.