Modifications of Dental Proprioceptivity After Apicectomy

Introduction: The proprioceptive control resulted from the periodontal mechanoreceptors is a major factor upon the control of masticatory muscle activity.
The aim of this study is to present the modification of dental proprioceptivity consequentially to apicectomy, which is followed by changes in the masticatory muscles activity.
Material and methods: In the present study we included a number of 11 patients from private practice, all of them presenting chronic periapical infection on which we performed apicectomy. To measure and compare the muscular contraction, we used electromyographic recordings before and after the surgery. We used the BioEMG II device, with surface electrodes placed bilaterally on the masseter muscles, the achieved data were recorded and analyzed using the device software.
Results: The data obtained preoperatively allowed us to visualize the shrinkage of the amplitude of the electromyographic signal, because the muscular activity was inhibited by the periodontal mechanoreceptors as protective reflex. Postoperatory results showed us a significant raise of the amplitude of electromyografic signals (p = 0.001), following the elimination of mechanoreceptors from the apical area.
Conclusions: The achieved results suggested that the mechanoreceptors localized in the apical third of the root, in the periodontal space are importants in providing the control of masticatory muscles activity.