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This study had the goal to perform an electromyography evaluation of the orbicularis oris, orbicularis oculi, masseter, and temporal muscles of two siblings with Schwartz-Jampel syndrome (SJS), in different clinical activities, comparing them to healthy controls (C). The Schwartz-Jampel syndrome is a rare genetic disorder (71 cases reported in worldwide literature), in which myotonia may be observed in the facial muscles, determining a standard facie that shows an appearance of someone who is sad and weeping For the electromyography (EMG), a Myotronics--K61 electromyographer, was used, with superficial and disposable silver chloride electrodes. By means of the analysis of the obtained results, we observed significant statistical differences for the masseter muscle and for orbicularis oculi muscles (p < 0.01) among the studied groups, in which the individuals with SJS presented greater muscular activity than the normal ones, used as healthy controls. The statistical difference between the two groups was not significant for the temporal muscle, as well as for the orbicularis oris muscle, although the EMG averages were much greater in patients who were bringers of the syndrome. This high muscular activity may be related to the facial osseous alterations, evidenced in both patients with SJS, such as the mandibular migrognathia, with an atrophy of the mandibular cortex and a consequent approximation between the inferior dental root apices and the mandible base, as well as the presence of hypoplastic condyles in terms of size and height.

The orbicular oris muscle, including its upper and lower fascicles, the alveolar processes and dental arches, constitute a complex morpho-functional system, located in the lower third of the face, which is very important for the clinical determination of the occlusal vertical dimension. Any alteration of this system, as in the case of edentulous patients, might produce esthetic problems and alterations in the muscular tonicity. This study was aimed to evaluate the electromyographic behaviour of that musculature in patients while pronouncing the syllables PAH, BAH, MAH, SAH, FAH, VAH, MEE, and the word MISSISSIPPI. Edentulous patients were submitted to electromyographic tests under two clinical conditions: before and after the implantation of complete dentures. A K6-I EMG Light Channel Surface Electromyograph was utilized (Myo-tronics Co. Seattle, WA, USA). The Analysis of Variance, with 3 sources of variation (Syllables, Muscles and Clinical Conditions) and 12 repetitions, indicated statistically significant differences in the pronunciation of the different syllables. For the Muscles factor, the analysis revealed higher electromyographic readings in the lower fascicle of the orbicular oris muscle, as compared with those of the upper fascicle. The comparison among the Clinical Conditions indicated higher electromyographic values for the edentulous condition (i.e., before complete denture implantation), as compared to those recorded after denture implantation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the muscular activity of the adductor pollicis muscle, by electromyography, when using a device made of acrylic resin adapted to the handle of toothbrush. 10 patients of both sexes from the Clinic of Removable Partial Dentures of the Dental School--USP, with a mean age of 65 years, were selected. Electromyographic records were obtained with patients in clinical conditions of Initial Rest and under conditions of claw apprehension and dental brushing. The mean results obtained, in mV, were: sat men: 2.97 for rest (R); 11.55 for free closure (FC); 35.80 for strained closure (SC); 29.30 for simulated brushing (SB); 55.00 for brushing (B); 26.87 for simulated brushing with the device (SBA); 69.70 for brushing with the device (BA); 3.72 for post exercise rest (PR). Standing: 2.27 for rest (R); 13.92 for free closure (FC); 45.85 for strained closure (SC); 28.40 for simulated brushing (SB); 72.07 for brushing with the device (BA); 1.42 for postexercise rest (PR). Sat women: 9.78 for rest (R); 22.71 for free closure (FC); 41.48 for strained closure (SC); 26.45 for simulated brushing (SB); 52.78 for brushing (B); 17.00 for simulated brushing with the adapter (SBA); 42.38 for brushing with the adapter (BA); 14.40 for postexercise rest (PR). Standing: 5.26 for rest (R); 17.81 for free closure (FC); 46.55 for strained closure (SC); 40.61 for simulated brushing (SB); 61.71 for brushing (B); 26.08 for simulated brushing with the adapter (SBA); 54.06 for brushing with the adapter (BA); 3.46 for postexercise rest (PR). The adductor pollicis muscle showed a higher electromyographic activity, considered statistically similar to each other, in 3 clinical conditions analyzed: brushing (B), brushing with the adapter (BA) and strained closure (SC). The adductor pollicis muscle showed lower electromyographic activity, considered statistically similar, in 5 clinical conditions analyzed: simulated brushing (SB), simulated brushing with the adapter (SBA), free closure (FC), rest (R) and postexercise rest (PR).