Awake teeth grinding in participants with canine guidance or group function: Effect on diaphragm EMG activity, heart rate, and oxygen saturation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of canine guidance or group function on diaphragm activity, heart rate, and oxygen saturation during awake teeth grinding at different body positions.

METHODS: Fifty healthy participants, 25 with canine guidance and 25 with group function, were included. Bilateral electromyographic (EMG) recordings of the diaphragm (DIA) during awake teeth grinding were performed in standing, seated upright, and right lateral decubitus positions. Simultaneously, heart rate and oxygen saturation were measured.

RESULTS: EMG activity of the DIA muscle was similar in the working side and non-working side between participants with canine guidance and group function in the different body positions studied. The heart rate and oxygen saturation showed no significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: EMG activity of the DIA muscle, the heart rate, and oxygen saturation during teeth grinding are not significantly influenced by the type of laterotrusive occlusal scheme.