Nocturnal muscle activity in the edentulous patient with and without dentures

Nocturnal oral activity was evaluated in four complete denture wearers by means of masseter muscle EMG measurements. Patients who had worn dentures that were judged satisfactory for at least a 1-year period were selected. EMG levels were compared when subjects slept with and without the dentures in the mouth. All subjects showed a decrease in the integrated muscle activity while wearing the dentures. Additional studies need to be directed at understanding the mechanism of the effect of denture wearing on nocturnal muscle activity.