Dental Occlusion Measurement: A Methodological Evaluation to Improve Clinical Gnathology

Dental-periodontal afferents contribute to modulating masticatory muscle recruitment. This modulation affects, in turn, load distribution within the stomatognathic apparatus. Standardized surface electromyography (ssEMG) has been proposed to quantify dental occlusion effects on muscle coordination. This study aimed to estimate the applicability of a research measurement protocol evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of ssEMG-based indices acquired by non-expert clinicians. Sixty-five asymptomatic adults underwent ssEMG recordings of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles, and 20 standardized indices were computed. Data were collected by non-expert operators during two sessions one week apart. Methodological reliability was assessed through intra- and inter-session ssEMG index comparisons, computing the coefficient of variation (CV%) and minimal detectable change (MDC). Differences in variability were also analyzed between subjects with typical and atypical functional indices. Overall, 15 out of 20 indices were considered clinically reliable. A statistically significant reduction in CV% was observed for five out of six clenching indices in subjects with typical values compared with those showing atypical patterns. ssEMG provides a reliable method for evaluating the functional effects of dental occlusion on masticatory muscle coordination by non-expert operators in routine clinical settings rather than research labs. These findings support the integration of functional, measurement-based approaches into evidence-based research and clinical gnathology.