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Objectives: The primary aim of this work was to determine the duration of ultra-low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ULF-TENS) application necessary to achieve sufficient relaxation of the masticatory muscles. A secondary aim was to analyze the influence of stimulation on muscle relaxation in pathological subjects and determine whether ULF-TENS has a noteworthy impact on muscle relaxation., Methods: Sixteen adult subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and muscle pain and a group of four control subjects were included in this study. ULF-TENS was applied, and muscular activities of the masseter, temporal, and sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCM) were recorded for 60 min., Results: Significant relaxation was achieved in the TMD group from 20, 40, and 60 min for the temporal, masseter, and SCM muscles (p < 0.05), respectively. Maximum relaxation was achieved in 12.5% of the subjects after 20 min, in a further 12.5% after 40 min, and in the remaining 75% after 60 min. Significant relaxation was achieved in the control group from 20 to 40 min for the masseter and temporal muscles, respectively (p < 0.05)., Discussion: Taken together, the results suggest that an ideal ULF-TENS application would last 40 min to obtain sufficient muscle relaxation both in patients with masticatory system disorders and healthy subjects, a time constraint that is consistent with everyday clinical practice.

The purpose of this clinical report was to describe the use of a piezographic impression associated with computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD–CAM) for teeth setup and of digital tools for neuro‐musculo–kinetic analyses. An edentulous patient with hemiglossectomy and heavily resorbed mandible consulted for complete denture rehabilitation to improve their masticatory function and speech. Master casts, wax rims, and piezographic impression were scanned for digital prosthetic work. Two digital try‐ins were performed to respect the neutral zone: try‐in 1 with posterior crossbite and try‐in 2 without crossbite. Muscle activity and mandibular kinetics were performed for each try‐in following the MAC2 protocol (six criteria): muscular tone, contraction synchrony, contraction efficiency, interocclusal rest distance, amplitude of mandibular movement, and velocity. Try‐in 2 showed better data than try‐in 1 in all criteria: muscle tone (respectively 71% vs. 59%), contraction synchrony (79% vs. 75%), contraction efficiency (85% vs. 77%), an increase in range of motion of 3.3 mm, and a better velocity (0.35 ± 0.12 s vs. 0.57 ± 0.14 s, p = 0.008). The piezographic impression, in combination with CAD–CAM, allowed the comparison of two prosthetic designs and the selection of the try‐in with the best neuro‐musculo–kinetic results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The primary aim of this work was to determine the duration of ultra-low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ULF-TENS) application necessary to achieve sufficient relaxation of the masticatory muscles. A secondary aim was to analyze the influence of stimulation on muscle relaxation in pathological subjects and determine whether ULF-TENS has a noteworthy impact on muscle relaxation.Methods: Sixteen adult subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and muscle pain and a group of four control subjects were included in this study. ULF-TENS was applied, and muscular activities of the masseter, temporal, and sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCM) were recorded for 60 min.Results: Significant relaxation was achieved in the TMD group from 20, 40, and 60 min for the temporal, masseter, and SCM muscles (p < 0.05), respectively. Maximum relaxation was achieved in 12.5% of the subjects after 20 min, in a further 12.5% after 40 min, and in the remaining 75% after 60 min. Significant relaxation was achieved in the control group from 20 to 40 min for the masseter and temporal muscles, respectively (p < 0.05).Discussion: Taken together, the results suggest that an ideal ULF-TENS application would last 40 min to obtain sufficient muscle relaxation both in patients with masticatory system disorders and healthy subjects, a time constraint that is consistent with everyday clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]