Evaluation of masticatory performance and bite force in children with sleep bruxism

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between masticatory performance (MP) and bite force (BF) in children with sleep bruxism (SB) during the mixed dentition stage, considering also the occlusal characteristics. The sample was composed by 52 healthy children of both genders, aged 6-10 years. From those, 22 presented signs and symptoms of SB and 30 were the controls. SB diagnosis consisted of both parental report and presence of tooth wear. MP was evaluated by the individual's ability to communicate an artificial chewable test material for determining the median particle size (X50) and distribution of particles in the different sieves (b). BF was measured using a digital gnathodynamometer with fork strength of 8 mm. The results were submitted to descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests, Spearman's correlation and multiple logistic regression. Mean BF and X50 did not differ between groups with and without SB. A significant negative correlation was observed between BF and X50 only in the group of children with SB. Moreover, the logistic regression model showed an association between the presence of SB and higher b index. The other independent variables included in the model showed no association with SB. BF did not differ between children with and without SB. Besides, higher BFs in children with SB meant better MP; however, they were more likely to present chewed particles retained in the larger aperture sieves, consequently requiring more chewing cycles to break down the test material in smaller particles.

Evaluation of oro‐facial function in young subjects with temporomandibular disorders

“…Bite force (BF) measurements can assess muscle efficiency and are an important tool for analysing the functional state of the masticatory system . These measurements have been used to evaluate oral function in patients having a number of conditions, such as malocclusion, TMD, neuromuscular diseases and parafunctional habits . It has been known that the BF is an indicator of normal masticatory function, but bite force values depend on many factors related to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the subjects , as well as the mechanical characteristics of the bite force recording system .…”

“…Nonetheless, there are controversies whether low BF in TMD subjects is in fact due to the disorder and whether it may be improved with treatment . Thus, it is interesting to know the influence of BF in growing subjects to presume functional impairment as a consequence of TMD, because in individuals having TMD, the masticatory muscles can be affected . Moreover, it has been observed that BF was significantly related to the development of dentition, consequently of the masticatory complex .…”

Oximetría, Frecuencia Cardíaca, Apnea y Actividad de los Músculos Masticatorios en Sujetos con BS

“…La masticación es un proceso complejo caracterizado por el desmenuzamiento y ruptura del alimento en pequeñas partículas para facilitar la digestión (Toro et al, 2006). Kobayashi et al (2012), reportaron mejor desmenuzamiento de los alimentos en un grupo control cuando se comparaba con sujetos con BS, éstos además, tenían una preferencia por una masticación unilateral, que se presentaba con menor amplitud, con predominancia de movimientos verticales mandibulares y con masticación unilateral.…”

Finite element analysis of occlusal splint therapy in patients with bruxism

“…Salmi et al found a new digital process to produce occlusal splints in a study using a laser scanner and evaluated the effectiveness of this new production method [21]. Kobayashi et al examined the association between masticatory performance and bite force in children with bruxism [22].…”

“…The results of previous studies have shown that occlusal splint therapy can be an option for treatment of patients suffering from bruxism [22][23][24]. These studies showed that biomechanical factors such as stress are associated with bruxism, however the exact contribution of these parameters is still unknown [22]. Therefore, it was tried in this research to perform a study with the aim of quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of occlusal splint for treating bruxism using in vivo image data of patients and control subjects.…”