Influence of the activator on electromyographic activity of mandibular elevator muscles

Integrated electromyographic (IEMG) activity was recorded in 15 children with Class II, Division 1 malocclusion undergoing treatment with an activator. EMG activity was recorded with surface electrodes from anterior temporal and masseter muscles, with and without the activator in the postural mandibular position, during saliva swallowing and maximal voluntary clenching. Similar IEMG activity in the postural mandibular position and during maximal voluntary clenching, with and without activator, was observed. During saliva swallowing, the activity in both muscles was significantly higher with the activator. This supports the rationale for diurnal wear of the activator. Simple linear regression analysis showed a significant negative correlation between the change of masseter muscular activity during saliva swallowing and age of the children (r = -0.51), suggesting that treatment with the activator should be started at an early age.