Masseteric silent period in healthy young adults.

The length of the silent period (SP) has been subject of extensive researches and its use has been established for the diagnosis of dysfunctional individuals. Because of its great variability we should be cautious about its assessment. This study is aimed to find the normal values taken in symptomless subjects using a commercial/medical recording system, designed for clinical use. Thirty-six readings of the SP have been taken causing a chin tap. The assessment of the motor dysfunction and the subsequent depressed activity gave the result of 32.37 ms (SD = 19.47, ranged from 15 to 110). This is slightly more extended than the results described by the majority of the Authors.