Impact of chronic allergic rhinitis on bite force and electromyographic activity of masseter and temporalis muscles of adult women.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to analyse the stomatognathic system of adult women with chronic allergic rhinitis by means of molar bite force and electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 26 subjects were screened and divided into two distinct groups: chronic allergic rhinitis group (n = 13) and healthy control group (n = 13). Subjects were assessed by maximal molar bite force (right and left) and normalized electromyographic activity of mandibular tasks (rest, right and left laterality, protrusion and maximal voluntary contraction). Data were submitted to Student's t test (< .05).

RESULTS

There was significant difference in right ( = .03) and left ( = .04) maximal molar bite force with force reduction in the chronic allergic rhinitis group. There was significant difference in normalized electromyographic activity in maximal voluntary contraction in the right ( =.01) and left ( = .01) temporalis muscles, with increased electromyographic activity in the masticatory muscles for the chronic allergic rhinitis group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that chronic allergic rhinitis in adult women promoted negative changes in the electromyographic activity of temporalis muscles in maximal voluntary contraction and maximal molar bite force. Rhinitis, occlusal force, electromyography, masticatory muscles.