DESIGNING OF A CUSTOM DEVICE FOR INVESTIGATING THE MASTICATORY AND TEMPORAL MUSCLES IN PATIENTS EXPERIENCING TMJ DYSFUNCTION

Relevance: At present, electromyography (EMG) serves as the standard method for diagnosing the condition of masticatory muscles. This technique enables the evaluation of bioelectric potentials, including bioelectric rest, average biopotential amplitude, the duration of chewing cycle and the number of chewing movements performed. In dental practice, EMG is conducted using electromyographs with electrodes attached to the skin using adhesive or electrically conductive gel. However, this installation process is often time-consuming, and the mobility of the sensors can compromise result reliability. Furthermore, when performing multiple EMG studies on a patient during different stages of treatment, there is no guarantee that the motor point will be consistently selected, leading to inaccurate data and comparisons. The aim is to develop and implement a personalized device design for performing EMG on masticatory muscles, ensuring consistent repetition of the study in clinical practice. Materials and methods: Through a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature, information sources were utilized to develop and manufacture an EMG device. Results: The technical outcome achieved includes a simplified methodology, improved sensor fixation, reduced EMG duration, and the ability to replicate the study consistently at various stages of a patient's treatment. Conclusion: The developed device and EMG methodology offer a simplified approach to obtaining accurate study results with reduced time requirements. Additionally, if repetition of the study is necessary, the obtained data would be representative. © 2023, Akra LLC. All rights reserved.