Baldini Alberto, Nota Alessandro, Cioffi Clementina, Ballanti Fabiana, Cozza Paola
Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015 Apr;86(4):374-8. doi: 10.3357/AMHP.4115.2015.
Due to the physical stresses to which they are subjected, military pilots may experience bruxism, an "oral parafunction." Parafunction can cause masticatory muscle suffering and serious dental, periodontal, and temporomandibular joint damage. The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the temperature distribution in masticatory and upper trapezius muscles in a sample of bruxist air force pilots, to evaluate whether an occlusal splint would be able to induce skin temperature variations in the stomatognathic apparatus using the technology of infrared thermography.
A total of 11 male Italian Air Force pilots of high performance aircraft, ages from 27 to 40 yr (mean 34.91 ± 2.15 yr) with 1000-3000 flight hours, were enrolled in the study and analyzed using an infrared camera in order to evaluate the temperature of the masticatory muscles. All the recordings were taken on each subject using the same protocol with and without a temporary occlusal splint.
The occlusal splint statistically increased each muscle temperature (0.10-0.20°C) on both the sides of the body. No statistically significant differences were found between the left and right muscles (asymmetries) before or after the wearing of the splint except for the anterior temporalis muscle. No significant improvement or variations in temperature symmetry of this muscle was found after the application of the splint.
The use of an occlusal splint could help in increasing muscles temperatures in Air Force pilots with consequent relaxation of their facial muscular system.
由于承受的身体压力，军事飞行员可能会出现磨牙症，这是一种“口腔副功能”。副功能会导致咀嚼肌疼痛以及严重的牙齿、牙周和颞下颌关节损伤。这项初步研究的目的是分析磨牙的空军飞行员样本中咀嚼肌和上斜方肌的温度分布，以评估咬合夹板是否能够利用红外热成像技术在口颌系统中引起皮肤温度变化。
共有11名驾驶高性能飞机的意大利空军男性飞行员参与了该研究，他们的年龄在27至40岁之间（平均34.91±2.15岁），飞行时长为1000 - 3000小时。使用红外摄像机对他们进行分析，以评估咀嚼肌的温度。在佩戴和不佩戴临时咬合夹板的情况下，按照相同方案对每位受试者进行所有记录。
咬合夹板在统计学上使身体两侧的每块肌肉温度均升高（0.10 - 0.20°C）。除颞肌前部外，佩戴夹板前后左右肌肉之间（不对称性）未发现统计学上的显著差异。应用夹板后，该肌肉的温度对称性未发现明显改善或变化。
使用咬合夹板可能有助于提高空军飞行员的肌肉温度，从而放松其面部肌肉系统。
