Abnormal craniofacial morphology, but not excess body fat, is associated with an increased risk of having SDB in 6-8-year-old children. A simple model of necessary clinical examinations (i.e. facial profile, dental occlusion and tonsils) is recommended to recognize children with an increased risk of SDB.

The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of stabilisation splint treatment on the oral health-related quality of life OHRQoL during a 1-year follow-up. Originally, the sample consisted of 80 patients (18 men, 62 women) with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) who had been referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Oulu University Hospital, Finland, for treatment. Patients were randomly designated into splint (n = 39) and control group (n = 41). Patients in the splint group were treated with a stabilisation splint. Additionally, patients in both groups received counselling and instructions on masticatory muscle exercises. The patients filled in the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire before treatment and at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. At total, 67 patients (35 in the splint group vs. 32 in the control group) completed the questionnaire at baseline. The outcome variables were OHIP prevalence, OHIP severity and OHIP extent. Linear mixed-effect regression model was used to analyse factors associated with change in OHIP severity during the 1-year follow-up, taking into account treatment time, age, gender and group status. OHIP prevalence, severity and extent decreased in both groups during the follow-up. According to linear mixed-effect regression, decrease in OHIP severity did not associate significantly with group status. Compared to masticatory muscle exercises and counselling alone, stabilisation splint treatment was not more beneficial on self-perceived OHRQoL among TMD patients over a 1-year follow-up.

The results indicate that among children, deviant craniofacial morphology, mouth breathing, body adiposity, and male gender seem to have implications in the pathophysiology of SDB.

Objective:  To examine the expression of possible secular trend in timing of the emergence of permanent teeth in Finnish children over the past few decades, considering the differences between genders. Materials and Methods:  Two age groups of Finnish children, one born in 1976–1985 (group 1980) and the other born in 1999–2002 (group 2000), were examined. Group 2000 comprised 483 children (235 girls and 248 boys) aged 6.4 to 8.5 years at the time of the examination, and the same children were examined at the age of 9.0 to 11.8 years. Altogether 405 children could be recalled, 196 girls and 209 boys. For comparison, matching age groups were selected from the group 1980 data (n = 1579), resulting in a sample of 312 children (155 girls and 157 boys) aged 6.4 to 8.5 years and 393 children aged 9.0 to 11.8 years. The emergence stage of each permanent tooth was determined clinically (Grades 0–3), based on which the subjects were furthermore divided according to the emergence stage of the dentition. Results:  Linear regression models showed that the permanent teeth of the first phase of the mixed dentition erupted earlier in group 2000 than in group1980, but the teeth of the second phase of the mixed dentition erupted later in group 2000. Girls showed more advanced tooth eruption than boys. Conclusion:  The longer duration of mixed dentition in group 2000 than in group 1980 makes the duration of combined follow-up and active treatment longer, and should be considered in timing of efficient orthodontic treatment.