Odontostomatological Traits in North-Eastern Italy’s Isolated Populations: An Epidemiological Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Malocclusions and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are oral health problems that are spread worldwide. To date, few studies focused on their prevalence and associated risk factors are available. This study aims to define the prevalence and distribution of odontostomatological traits and evaluate specific risk factors in isolated villages in north-eastern Italy, taking advantage of their environmental homogeneity. Nine hundred and forty-four participants aged six to eighty-nine years were enrolled. Thirty-one odontostomatological phenotypes, classified into five domains (airways, bad habits, extraoral and intraoral parameters, TMDs, and teeth), were evaluated. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed; mixed logistic models were used to test the relationships among the traits. According to the study’s findings, Angle’s class I was prevalent (65.3%) followed by class II malocclusion (24.3%); class III and reversed overjet were the least frequent malocclusions (10.4% and 1.8%, respectively). Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) click/noise was prevalent among TMDs (34.7%). The statistically significant (p-value < 0.05) risk factors were ankyloglossia for phonetic issues (OR 1.90) and bruxism for TMJ click/noise (OR 1.70) and pain (OR 2.20). Overall, this work provides a picture of the prevalence of malocclusions and TMDs in a large Italian sample and reveals risk factors to take into account in the development of preventive strategies and treatments.

Clenching the Strings of Bruxism Etiopathogenesis: Association Analyses on Genetics and Environmental Risk Factors in a Deeply Characterized Italian Cohort

“…Bruxism is a common complex condition involving involuntary teeth grinding and clenching, with an overall prevalence ranging from 8% to 31.4% [3][4][5][6][7].…”

“…Here, 769 subjects coming from isolated FVG region villages (i.e., Erto-Casso, Clauzetto, Illegio, Sauris, and Val di Resia) were enrolled, voluntarily, between March and November 2008 in the odontostomatological evaluation within the context of the "FVG Genetic Park" project [6].…”

“…By increasing the workload on the stomatognathic system, bruxism may determine negative consequences at different compartments: (i) at the teeth level, i.e., mechanical teeth wear, cracks, recurring failure of conservative and/or prosthetic restorations due to dental attrition and dentin hypersensitivity [2,3], and (ii) at the muscular and articular level, causing hypertrophy and pain of masticatory muscles, hypertonicity and pain of cervical muscles, tension-type headache, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, including click, noise, and pain [2][3][4][5][6].…”

“…The reported prevalence of bruxism is highly variable; this wide variability might reflect different characteristics of the studied populations, such as age and sex distribution and socioeconomic status, as well as methodological issues in data collection, including a lack of standardized diagnostic criteria application [3]. A systematic review published in 2013 reports a prevalence rate of bruxism in adults ranging from 9.3% to 15.3% for SB and from 22.1% to 31% for AB [3][4][5][6][7]. In children and adolescents, the prevalence rates increase up to 40-50% [3][4][5][6]8].…”

“…A systematic review published in 2013 reports a prevalence rate of bruxism in adults ranging from 9.3% to 15.3% for SB and from 22.1% to 31% for AB [3][4][5][6][7]. In children and adolescents, the prevalence rates increase up to 40-50% [3][4][5][6]8].…”