Effect of Clear Aligner Therapy on Jaw Motor Function

Abstract

Recent evidence indicates that clear aligner therapy (CAT) induces mild to moderate tooth and jaw muscle pain. This study aimed to measure the effect of CAT on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the masseter. It was hypothesized that CAT induces an increase in the EMG activity of the masseter during day-time. The EMG activity of the masseter was recorded in 17 adults over 4 weeks (baseline – no aligners; a passive aligner not moving teeth; first active aligner; and second active aligner) using portable devices. CAT induced a significant increase in masseter activity (all p