A comparative study of electromyograms of the masseter, temporalis, and anterior digastric muscles obtained by surface and intramuscular electrodes: raw-EMG.

Electromyographic activity was synchronously recorded by surface and intramuscular electrodes in the same muscle. The activity of the left masseter, left temporalis, and both bellies of the anterior digastric muscle was studied by this double registration technique. In rest position no electromyographic activity could be detected in any of the muscles by both techniques. Both techniques give comparable results in cyclic jaw movements. In isometric contractions, however, differences in the registered activity were observed between the surface electrode on the depressor group muscles and the intramuscularly recorded anterior digastric muscles. Silent periods evoked in the elevator muscles were of slightly longer duration when recorded by intramuscular electrodes than when recorded by surface electrodes. A protruded position of the mandible results in a silent period of longer duration than the position of the mandible in maximal occlusion during clenching for both techniques.