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Background: Large horizontal maxillary overjet (overjet) is associated with reduced bite force (BF) and number of contacts, which influence the chewing effectivity (CE). Oral health, oro‐facial function (OF) and malocclusion have great impact on psychological well‐being and quality of life (QoL). Objectives: The aims of the study were to examine OF, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), BF, CE, QoL and well‐being in children and adolescents with large overjet. Methods: The study was a case–control study including healthy children with large overjet in the study group compared to a control group of healthy children with neutral occlusion, all 9–14 years old. OF was examined by use of Nordic Orofacial Test‐Screening (NOT‐S), Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and registration of morphological and functional occlusion. QoL and well‐being were examined using KIDSCREEN‐10 and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Results: The study and control groups included 37 and 32 participants, respectively. Significantly increased NOT‐S score (p <.001) and reduced BF (p =.011), numbers of contacts (p <.001) and CE (p =.005) were found in the study group. BF, numbers of contacts and CE were negatively associated with erupting canines and premolars. No significant difference was found in age, gender, dental eruption, TMD diagnosis or QoL between the groups. Significantly increased emotional symptoms (p =.007), hyperactivity (p =.043) and total difficulties score (p =.009) were found in the study group. Conclusion: The study group showed higher NOT‐S score and reduced BF, number of contacts and CE. No difference in QoL were found between the groups, although reduced well‐being and increased emotional symptoms, hyperactivity and total difficulties were found in the study group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a hereditary disorder that affects the connective tissue and collagen structures in the body characterised by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility and tissue fragility. Objective The aim was to investigate temporomandibular disorders (TMD), bite force, teeth in occlusal contact and osseous changes of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) in 26 patients with hypermobile EDS (hEDS), differentiated by a genetic test, compared to 39 healthy controls. Methods: Clinical examination according to Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD), radiological examinations of the TMJs by cone‐beam‐computed tomographic (CBCT) scans, registration of bite force and teeth in occlusal contact was performed. Statistical analyses included Fisher's Exact Test, multiple logistic and linear regression models adjusted for age, gender and Body Mass Index (BMI). Results: Single symptoms and signs of TMD occurred significantly more often in hEDS (p =.002; p =.001; p =.003; p = <.0001; p =.012) and maximum mouth opening was significantly smaller in hEDS compared to controls (p = <.0001). The DC/TMD diagnosis myalgia, myofascial pain with referral, arthralgia, headache attributed to TMD, disc displacement disorders and degenerative joint disease occurred significantly more often in hEDS compared to controls (p =.000; p =.008; p =.003; p =.000; p = <.0001; p =.010, respectively). No significant differences were found in bite force and in teeth in occlusal contact between the groups (p >.05). On CBCT of the TMJs, subcortical sclerosis occurred significantly more often in hEDS compared to controls (p =.005). Conclusion: Symptoms and signs of TMD and osseous changes of the TMJs occurred significantly more often in hEDS. Bite force and teeth in occlusal contact were comparable to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To ascertain and illustrate specific clinical dento-craniofacial characteristics associated with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in non-syndromic children.Methods: Narrative review of literature on SDB, dental occlusion and craniofacial morphology retrieved through online literature database search for these terms. The review focused on clinical examples and graphical illustrations in order to ascertain the association between dento-craniofacial characteristics and SDB. Only publications concerning healthy non-syndromic children without any somatic or psychological diagnosis were included.Results: Dento-craniofacial characteristics such as anterior open bite, large overjet, cross bite and facial appearance such as convex profile due to mandibular retrognathia and inclination, narrow and high palate can predispose to SDB in non-syndromic children. Furthermore, extended head posture, mouth breathing and general adenoidal face may be symptoms or predisposing factors to SDB in non-syndromic children.Conclusion: Dento-craniofacial characteristics as anterior open bite, large overjet due to mandibular retrognathia, cross bite, and narrow and high palate can predispose to SDB in non-syndromic children. Facial characteristics predisposing to SDB can be a convex facial profile, extended head posture, mouth breathing and general adenoidal face. Interdisciplinary collaboration between medical doctors and dentists can prove valuable in diagnostics, prevention and treatment of SDB in non-syndromic children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To compare pain sensitivity between deep bite patients and a sex- and age-matched control group with normal occlusion. Methods: Pain sensitivity was assessed by injections of the excitatory amino acid glutamate into the masseter and brachioradialis muscles. Intensity of glutamate-evoked pain was scored by the subjects ( n = 60) on a 0 to 10 cm visual analog scale. Subjects drew the perceived pain area on a face and arm chart and described the quality of pain on the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Thresholds for cold detection, cold pain, cold tolerance, warmth detection, heat pain, and heat tolerance were assessed on the masseter and brachioradialis muscles. Pressure pain threshold and pain tolerance threshold were determined on the temporomandibular joint, masseter, anterior temporalis, and brachioradialis muscles. The differences between groups, age, and gender were tested by two-way ANOVA, and the significant differences were then tested for the effect of the presence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) by linear regression. Results: Glutamate-evoked pain intensity was significantly different between groups with no gender differences. Quality of pain did not vary between groups, but significant gender-related differences were observed. Significant differences in thermal sensitivity between groups and gender were found, whereas mechanical sensitivity did not vary between groups but between genders. None of the significant differences were due to the effect of TMD. Conclusion: These data provide further evidence of gender-related differences in somatosensory sensitivity and for the first time indicate that subjects with deep bite may be more sensitive to glutamate-evoked pain and thermal stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and psychological status were examined in adult patients with a deep bite and compared with an adult age- and gender-matched control group with neutral occlusion. The deep bite group consisted of 20 females (mean age 30.3 years) and 10 males (mean age 33.1 years), The control group comprised 20 females (mean age 29.4 years) and 10 males (mean age 34.2 years). TMD examination, according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD), cephalometric lateral radiographs, registration of occlusion, and bite force were performed. To test the mean differences between craniofacial morphology, bite force, the occurrence of RDC/TMD diagnostic groups, and headache between the two groups, unpaired t-test, Fisher's exact test, Mann Whitney U test, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Deep bite patients more frequently reported nocturnal and diurnal clenching (P < 0.01), an uncomfortable bite (P < 0.001), jaw stiffness (P < 0.05), and 'ringing' in the ears (P < 0,001) than the controls. Headache (P < 0.001), muscle disorders (P < 0.001), disc displacement (P < 0.05), and other joint disorders (P < 0.05) occurred significantly more often in the deep bite group compared with the controls. Somatization scores were significantly higher in the deep bite group compared with the controls (P < 0.001). Headache, muscle disorders, disc displacement, and other joint disorders were significantly associated with a number of craniofacial dimensions and psychological factors [R between 0.32 and 0.72; P < 0.05 and odds ratio (OR) from 0.45 to 7.46; P < 0.05]. These findings suggest that a deep bite, in particular with retroclined upper incisors, can represent a risk factor for TMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical column morphology was examined in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and compared with the cervical morphology of an adult control group with neutral occlusion, normal craniofacial morphology, and no history of sleep apnoea. The sleep apnoea group consisted of 91 patients, 16 females aged 29-59 years (mean 49.4 years) and 75 males aged 27-65 years (mean 49.0 years). All patients were diagnosed with OSA by overnight polysomnography. The control group consisted of 21 subjects, 15 females aged 23-40 years (mean 29.2 years) and 6 males aged 25-44 years (mean 32.8 years). From each individual, a visual assessment of the cervical column was performed on the radiograph. Differences in the cervical column morphology, between the genders and the groups were assessed by Fisher's exact test and the effect of age by logistic regression analysis. In the OSA group, 46.2 per cent had fusion anomalies of the cervical column and 5.5 per cent a posterior arch deficiency. Fusion anomalies occurred in 26.4 per cent as fusions between two cervical vertebrae. Block fusions occurred in 12.1 per cent and occipitalization in 14.3 per cent. A posterior arch deficiency occurred in 2.2 per cent as a partial cleft of C1 and in 3.3 per cent as dehiscence of C3 and C4. No statistical gender differences were found in the occurrence of morphological characteristics of the cervical column. The fusion anomalies of the cervical column occurred significantly more often in the OSA group. The results indicate that the morphological deviations of the upper cervical vertebrae play a role in the phenotypical subdivision and diagnosis of OSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes the cervical column as related to head posture, cranial base, and mandibular condylar hypoplasia. Two groups were included in the study. The 'normal' sample comprised 21 subjects, 15 females aged 23-40 years (mean 29.2 years), and six males aged 25-44 years (mean 32.8 years) with neutral occlusion and normal craniofacial morphology. The condylar hypoplasla group comprised the lateral profile radiographs of 11 patients, eight females, and three males, aged 12-38 years (mean 21.6 years). For each individual, a profile radiograph was taken to perform a visual assessment of the morphology of the cervical column. For the normal group only, the profile radiographs were taken in the standardized head posture to measure the head posture and the cranial base angle. Cervical column: Morphological deviations of the cervical column occurred significantly more often in the subjects with condylar hypoplasia compared with the normal group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). The pattern of morphological deviations was significantly more severe in the subjects with condylar hypoplasia compared with the normal group (P < 0.01). Cervical column related to head posture and cranial base: The cervicohorizontal and cranial base angles were statistically larger in females than in males (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). No statistically significant age differences were found. Only in females was the cervical lordosis angle (OPT/CVT, P < 0.01 ), the inclination of the upper cervical spine (OPT/HeR, P < 0.05), and the cranial base angle (n-s-ba, P < 0.05) significantly positively correlated with fusion of the cervical column. These associations were not due to the effect of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this prospective, longitudinal study, bite force was examined in children with a unilateral posterior crossbite before (stage 1), immediately after orthodontic treatment (stage 2), and after retention (stage 3). The sample comprised 19 (7 girls, 12 boys) children aged 7-11 years. The children were treated according to conventional practice, with an expansion plate (seven subjects) or a quadhelix appliance (12 subjects). Unilateral bite force was measured at the first molars by means of a standardized method. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Shapiro-Wilks W- and t-tests, and analysis of variance. There was no significant difference in bite force regarding age, gender, appliance, or side, i.e. right or left molar region. However, during stage 2 the bite force was significantly lower ipsilaterally to the crossbite than contralaterally (P < 0.05). In general, the bite force was systematically lower than reference values, but the mean bite force (P < 0.05) and the bite force on the ipsilateral side (P < 0.01) increased significantly from stage 2 to stage 3. The bite force level was reduced immediately after treatment, but increased again after retention and approached the bite force level in children with neutral occlusion. The fluctuation in bite force level during orthodontic treatment may be due to transient changes in occlusal support, periodontal mechanoreceptors, and jaw elevator muscle reflexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined bite force in relation to occlusion, craniofacial dimensions, and head posture. The sample comprised 88 children (48 girls, 40 boys) aged 7-13 years, sequentially admitted for orthodontic treatment of malocclusions entailing health risks. Bite force was measured in the molar region by means of a pressure transducer. Angle classification, number of teeth and contact in the intercuspal position (ICP) were recorded and dental arch widths were measured on plaster casts. Craniofacial dimensions and head posture were recorded from lateral cephalometric radiographs taken with the subject standing with their head in a standardized posture (mirror position). Associations were assessed by Spearman correlations and multiple stepwise regression analyses. The maximum bite force increased significantly with age in girls, with teeth in occlusal contact in boys, and with increasing number of erupted teeth in both genders. Bite force did not vary significantly between the Angle malocclusion types. Only in boys was there a clear correlation between bite force and craniofacial morphology: cranial base length (n-ba, n-at), posterior face height (s-tgo, ar-tgo), vertical jaw relationship (NL-ML), mandibular inclination (NSL-ML), form (ML-RL) and length (pg-tgo), and inclination of the lower incisors (IIi-ML). Multiple regression analysis showed that the vertical jaw relationship (P < 0.001) and the number of teeth present (P< 0.01) were the most important factors for the magnitude of bite force in boys. In girls, the most important factor was the number of teeth present (P< 0.001). No correlations between bite force and head posture were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]