Bruxism Research Articles

Sleep bruxism and associated physiological events in children with obstructive sleep apnea: a polysomnographic study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological events associated with sleep bruxism (Sleep Bruxism [SB]; presence of mandibular movement activity) and the control window (4 minutes prior to SB event, where no mandibular movement activity was detected) in a polysomnography study in children with mild sleep apnea. Polysomnography data from children aged 4 to 9 years old diagnosed with mild sleep apnea were analyzed by 2 trained examiners. The mandibular movement activity (bruxism event; SB) was classified into phasic and tonic. The control window was selected 4 minutes prior to the SB event. All physiological events were recorded in both bruxism and control windows, including sleep phase (N1, N2, N3, and rapid eye movement), arousal, leg movements, tachycardia, bradycardia, oxygen desaturation, and number of obstructive and central sleep apnea events. The moment in which those phenomena occurred when associated with SB was also analyzed (before/after). Data were analyzed using 95% confidence intervals (α = 5%). A total of 661 mandibular movements were analyzed and classified as tonic (n = 372) or phasic (n = 289). The mean apnea-hypopnea index was 1.99 (SD = 1.27) events/h. The frequency of leg movements, microarousal, and tachycardia was increased in SB events when compared with the control window (P < .05). There was an increase in bradycardia frequency in the control window when compared with SB (in both tonic and phasic events). The frequency of obstructive and central apnea during SB was lower when compared with the other physiological phenomena. There is a difference in the physiological parameters evaluated in children with mild sleep apnea when comparing the 2 windows (SB and control). Sleep bruxism is associated with other physiological phenomena, such as leg movements, tachycardia, and microarousal. The use of a control window (where no mandibular activity was detected) was representative since it did not show activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Bonacina CF, Soster LMSFA, Bueno C, etal. Sleep bruxism and associated physiological events in children with obstructive sleep apnea: a polysomnographic study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(4):565-573.

Salivary signatures of oral-brain communication in sleep bruxers.

Microbiota and their interaction with hosts have been of great interest in brain research in recent years. However, the role of oral microbiota in mental illness and the underlying mechanism of oral-brain communication remains elusive. Sleep bruxism (SB) is an oral parafunctional activity related to the nervous system and is considered a risk factor for harmful clinical consequences and severe systemic conditions. Exploring the connection between oral microbiota and sleep bruxism may deepen our understanding of the complex relationship between oral-brain axis and provide insights for treatment. In this study, salivary samples were collected from 22 individuals with SB and 21 healthy controls, and metagenomics with metabolomics was performed. Nonparametric Wilcoxon test were applied for the statistical analysis between the two groups. Microbial dysbiosis and altered oral metabolites were found in the SB individuals. The characteristic metabolite N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) (VIP=8.4823, P<0.05) was correlated to a statistically lower Streptococcus mitis level in SB individuals. Salivary IFN-g level and IFN-g/IL-4 ratio were detected with significant changes in a chip assay. Amino acid metabolism pathways were upregulated, and the pathway with the largest number of differentially expressed genes is related to amino-tRNA charging pathway, while the most significantly enriched pathway is related to arginine biosynthesis. Neurotransmitter-associated pathways with glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses and cardiovascular system-related pathways were enriched in the SB group. These results indicate a possible neuroimmune regulatory network of oral-brain communication in SB, which helps explain the mechanism of the oral microbiome with the host in sleep bruxers and provides a reference for early clinical and therapeutic intervention to improve the diagnosis and treatment of SB and similar diseases.

Prevalence of Sleep Disturbances in Latin American Populations and Its Association with Their Socioeconomic Status-A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis.

The worldwide increase in the prevalence and incidence of sleep disturbances represents a major public health issue. Among multiple determinants affecting sleep health, an individual's socioeconomic status (SES) is the most ignored and underestimated throughout the literature. No systematic review on the relation between SES and sleep health has been previously conducted in Latin America. PRISMA guidelines were used. Twenty articles were included in the final sample (all cross-sectional studies), and twelve among them were rated as fair or poor quality. Among these studies, 80.0% (n = 16) were performed in Brazil, 10.0% (n = 2) were performed in Peru, 5.0% (n = 1) were performed in Chile, and 5.0% (n = 1) were multicentric (11 countries). The combined total number of participants was N = 128.455, comprising 3.7% (n = 4693) children, 16.0% (n = 20,586) adolescents, and 80.3% (n = 103,176) adults. The results show the following: (1) The sleep outcomes analyzed were sleep duration, sleep quality/sleep disturbance, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)/sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms, and bruxism. (2) The most used determinants were income, education level, employment status/occupation, wealth/assets, and composite indices. (3) Higher SES was associated with shorter sleep duration. (4) Lower SES was associated with a decrease in sleep quality, less frequent snoring, more prevalent EDS, and sleep bruxism. (5) Lower education was associated with insomnia. (6) Higher education was associated with more sleep bruxism. (7) The pooled prevalence using a meta-analysis of the random effects model was 24.73% (95%CI, 19.98-30.19), with high heterogeneity (I2 = 100%). (8) The prevalence of sleep disturbances decreased with high education (OR, 0.83; 95%CI, [0.69-0.99]; I2 = 79%), while it increased with low income (OR, 1.26; 95%CI, [1.12-1.42]; I2 = 59%), unemployment (OR, 2.84; 95%CI, [2.14-3.76]; I2 = 0%), and being a housewife (OR, 1.72; 95%CI, [1.19-2.48]; I2 = 55%). This meta-analysis shows that lower SES (education, income, and work) was associated with sleep disturbances in Latin America. Therefore, sleep disturbance management should be addressed with a multidimensional approach, and a significant investment in targeted public health programs to reduce sleep disparities and support research should be made by the government before the situation becomes uncontrollable.

Five years after the 2018 consensus definitions of sleep and awake bruxism: An explanatory note.

Five years after the 2018 consensus definitions of sleep and awake bruxism: An explanatory note.

Effects of vibratory feedback stimuli through an oral appliance on sleep bruxism: A 14-week intervention trial

Background/purposeVarious biofeedback stimulation techniques for managing sleep bruxism (SB) have recently emerged; however, the effect of the successive application of vibratory feedback stimulation has not been clarified. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of vibration feedback stimulation via an oral appliance (OA) on SB. Materials and methodsThis prospective, single-arm, open-label intervention study included 20 participants diagnosed with “definite” SB who wore a specially designed OA for 98 nights at home. A force-based SB detection system triggered a vibrator attached to the OA. Vibratory stimulation was withheld during the first 3-week adaptation period (weeks 1–3), applied during the 9-week stimulation period (weeks 4–12), and withheld again during the post-stimulation period (weeks 13–14). The number and duration of SB events per hour of sleep were calculated based on piezoelectric signals recorded with the OA-based vibration feedback device and compared between weeks 3 and 4, 8, 12, and 14 and between weeks 12 and 14 using the Friedman test (post-hoc test with Bonferroni correction). ResultsThe duration of SB events significantly decreased after vibratory stimulation (weeks 3 versus 4, 8, and 12: P < 0.001, P = 0.026, and P = 0.033, respectively) and then significantly increased upon cessation of vibratory stimulation after the stimulation period (weeks 12 versus 14: P < 0.001). ConclusionContingent vibratory stimulation through an OA-based vibration feedback device may suppress SB-related masticatory muscle activity continuously for 9 weeks and may be an effective alternative for managing SB.

Diagnostic Accuracy of a Portable Electromyography and Electrocardiography Device to Measure Sleep Bruxism in a Sleep Apnea Population: A Comparative Study.

The gold standard for diagnosing sleep bruxism (SB) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is polysomnography (PSG). However, a final hypermotor muscle activity often occurs after apnea episodes, which can confuse the diagnosis of SB when using portable electromyography (EMG) devices. This study aimed to compare the number of SB episodes obtained from PSG with manual analysis by a sleep expert, and from a manual and automatic analysis of an EMG and electrocardiography (EKG) device, in a population with suspected OSA. Twenty-two subjects underwent a polysomnographic study with simultaneous recording with the EMG-EKG device. SB episodes and SB index measured with both tools and analyzed manually and automatically were compared. Masticatory muscle activity was scored according to published criteria. Patients were segmented by severity of OSA (mild, moderate, severe) following the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) criteria. ANOVA and the Bland-Altman plot were used to quantify the agreement between both methods. The concordance was calculated through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). On average, the total events of SB per night in the PSG study were (8.41 ± 0.85), lower than the one obtained with EMG-EKG manual (14.64 ± 0.76) and automatic (22.68 ± 16.02) analysis. The mean number of SB episodes decreases from the non-OSA group to the OSA group with both PSG (5.93 ± 8.64) and EMG-EKG analyses (automatic = 22.47 ± 18.07, manual = 13.93 ± 11.08). However, this decrease was minor in proportion compared to the automatic EMG-EKG analysis mode (from 23.14 to 22.47). The ICC based on the number of SB episodes in the segmented sample by severity degree of OSA along the three tools shows a moderate correlation in the non-OSA (0.61) and mild OSA (0.53) groups. However, it is poorly correlated in the moderate (0.24) and severe (0.23) OSA groups: the EMG-EKG automatic analysis measures 14.27 units more than PSG. The results of the manual EMG-EKG analysis improved this correlation but are not good enough. The results obtained in the PSG manual analysis and those obtained by the EMG-EKG device with automatic and manual analysis for the diagnosis of SB are acceptable but only in patients without OSA or with mild OSA. In patients with moderate or severe OSA, SB diagnosis with portable electromyography devices can be confused due to apneas, and further study is needed to investigate this.

Sleep Bruxism and Stress

Sleep Bruxism and Stress

Oral manifestations found among illicit drugs users

Illicit drug use is an intricate challenge that currently affects an individual's health and overall well-being. This review study provides insight into the availability of information regarding the examination of the signs, treatment approaches, and broader consequences related to health problems among individuals who use drugs. The clinical indicators of drug consumption on oral health encompass issues such as dry mouth (xerostomia), gum problems, teeth grinding (bruxism), and dental cavities. These manifestations contribute to immediate discomfort and elevate the risk of long-term dental complications, underscoring the pressing need for intervention and care. Effective management strategies involve a comprehensive approach, incorporating preventive measures, timely treatment, and a compassionate understanding of the unique challenges faced by drug users. Preventive efforts, such as education and regular dental check-ups, serve as critical components in mitigating the clinical manifestations. Treatment strategies, including restorative procedures and periodontal therapy, play a pivotal role in addressing immediate oral health concerns. However, the management of oral health issues extends beyond the dental chair. Acknowledging the hurdles faced by individuals who use drugs, including economic factors and social prejudice, underscores the significance of adopting a comprehensive approach to providing support and assistance. Integrating oral health services with substance abuse treatment presents a promising avenue for comprehensive healthcare. This collaborative approach addresses oral health issues and acknowledges the bidirectional relationship between substance abuse and oral health. In summary, it is essential to comprehend the relationship between illicit drug use and oral health. By implementing management strategies, we can potentially reduce suffering, improve quality of life, and enhance health for individuals affected by substance abuse. This holistic approach emphasizes the significance of acknowledging and addressing these population’s health requirements within a broader healthcare framework.

PSVI-12 Comparison of a Visual Health Scoring System with Vaginal Temperatures of Newly Received Feedlot Heifers

Abstract Newly received feedlot cattle frequently succumb to bovine respiratory disease (BRD), which can be visually diagnosed and medically treated by employing a 4-point scoring system based on depression, appetite, respiration, and temperature (DART). Using this system, cattle are treated with antimicrobial medications for BRD if they have a rectal temperature (RT) ≥ 40°C and a DART score of 2 (scale = 1 to 4), or if they have a DART score of 3 or 4 regardless of the 40°C RT threshold. However, cattle often exhibit several visible clinical symptoms of BRD but do not have an RT above the 40°C threshold to warrant medical treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate if DART scoring could be used to identify cattle with elevated vaginal temperatures (VT) throughout a 28-day receiving period. Upon feedlot arrival, 198 crossbred heifers (primarily Angus influence; initial BW = 219 ± 63 kg) were initially processed, weighed, and allocated to one of 10 soil-surfaced pens (12 x 35 m; 20 heifers per pen). A blank Controlled Intravaginal Drug Release (CIDR) device attached with an indwelling temperature probe (iButton DS1925L) was inserted vaginally into each heifer to collect and store VT every 10 minutes for 28 days. All heifers were evaluated daily (0700 h) for signs of morbidity by three individuals (blinded from each other) implementing the DART scoring system. Individual DART evaluations were then pooled prior to determination of heifers needing further evaluation for medical treatment. Results confirmed that DART score increases as VT increases (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Similarly, mean time DART ≥ 2 (TDART≥2) increased as mean time VT ≥ 40°C (TVT≥40) increased (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Accuracy of DART ≥ 2 to VT ≥ 40°C analogous by day is denoted as (MATCH). Simple regression analysis of MATCH and TVT≥40 for determining accuracy of visually diagnosing clinical BRD, was MATCH = 0.89 – 0.71 × TVT≥40 (r2 = 0.70; P &amp;lt; 0.001). The accuracy to visually diagnose BRD decreases as the number of days spent with a VT ≥ 40°C increases. Average daily gain decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.001) as TDART≥2 and TVT≥40 increased. The BRD symptoms indicating high VT and DART score (P ≤ 0.01) were nasal discharge, anorexia, abnormal respiration, and teeth grinding. Additionally, weakness, cough, lowered head, and ocular discharge indicate greater DART score (P ≤ 0.01). Basophils and hemoglobin decreased with elevated VT and DART score (P ≤ 0.02). Monocytes increased with increased DART score (P ≤ 0.04). In conclusion, data from this evaluation employing VT sensors and the DART scoring method provided an overview of how effective clinical BRD can be visually diagnosed, therefore contributing to the improvement and development of more effective strategies for identifying respiratory diseases in feedlot cattle.

Clinical and instrumental features in 82 patients with insufficient sleep syndrome.

Insufficient sleep syndrome possibly represents the worldwide leading cause of daytime sleepiness, but remains poorly recognised and studied. The aim of this case series is to comprehensively describe a cohort of patients with insufficient sleep syndrome. Eighty-two patients were studied concerning demographic and socio-economic features, medical, psychiatric and sleep comorbidities, substance use, sleep symptoms, actigraphy, video-polysomnography, multiple sleep latency tests and treatment. The typical patient with insufficient sleep syndrome is a middle-aged adult (with no difference of gender), employed, who has a family, often carrying psychiatric and neurological comorbidities, in particular headache, anxiety and depression. Other sleep disorders, especially mild sleep apnea and bruxism, were common as well. Actigraphy was a valuable tool in the characterisation of insufficient sleep syndrome, showing a sleep restriction during weekdays, associated with a recovery rebound of night sleep during weekends and a high amount of daytime sleep. An over- or underestimation of sleeping was common, concerning both the duration of night sleep and daytime napping. The average daily sleep considering both daytime and night-time, weekdays and weekends corresponds to the recommended minimal normal duration, meaning that the burden of insufficient sleep syndrome could mainly depend on sleep fragmentation and low quality. Sleep efficiency was elevated both in actigraphy and video-polysomnography. Multiple sleep latency tests evidenced a tendency toward sleep-onset rapid eye movement periods. Our study offers a comprehensive characterisation of patients with insufficient sleep syndrome, and clarifies their sleeping pattern, opening avenues for management and treatment of the disorder. Current options seem not adapted, and in our opinion a cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy protocol should be developed.

Influence of psychiatric symptom profiles of parents on sleep bruxism intensity of their children

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of parental anxiety, depression levels and psychiatric symptom profiles of parents on the occurrence of sleep bruxism in children. Material & Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 94 children aged 6 to 12 years, divided into two groups: with sleep bruxism (bruxism group-BG) and without sleep bruxism (control group-CG). Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R), Symptom Checklist and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-Parent (SCARED-P) scale were used to assess anxiety and depression levels of parents. All questionnaires were filled out by parents of children. Intraoral and extraoral examinations were carried out of children in the clinic and sleep bruxism was determined. All stress conditions were investigated by logistic regression analysis. In the comparison of the qualitative data, chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used. Results The data revealed that participants whose mothers had high anxiety and interpersonal sensitivity scores, and participants whose fathers had a medium level of obsessive-compulsive disorder were more likely to have an SB problem (p < 0.05). According to the results of BDI, the fathers’ results between the BG and the CG were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, the mothers’ results between the BG and the CG were statistically significant (p < 0.05) When all subscales of SCARED-P were evaluated, the separation anxiety disorder subscore was statistically significant in the bruxism group. Conclusion The psychological status of parents is a significant risk factor associated with SB development in school-age children.

Prevalence of bruxism among college students

Evaluate the prevalence of bruxism and to analyze what are the possible associated factors with this condition in students of a Brazilian university. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, with a sample of 230 students randomly selected among undergraduate courses at a university center. The dependent variable was the presence of awake bruxism and sleep bruxism. The independent variables were sociodemographic factors, smoking, alcohol consumption, oral habits and stress perception (Perceived Stress Scale- PSS 14). Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were used. Results: The prevalence of awake bruxism was 28.7% and was associated with the independent variables: course (degree program), gum chewing habits, chin hand placing, facedown sleeping and one-side biting. Sleep bruxism had a 7.0% prevalence and displayed association with gum chewing, pens/pencils/objects biting, tongue/lips/cheeks biting, nails biting and one-side biting. Perceived stress was not associated with either type of bruxism. Conclusion: Bruxism has an important prevalence among university students, especially when distinguishing between awake bruxism and sleep bruxism.

The association of self-reported awake bruxism and sleep bruxism with temporomandibular pain and dysfunction in adult patients with temporomandibular disorders.

To investigate the association of the severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) pain and dysfunction with the frequency of self-reported awake bruxism (AB), sleep bruxism (SB), and stress in an adult TMD-patient population. This cross-sectional study included 237 TMD patients based on the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. Age, sex, frequency of self-reported AB and SB, and stress were included as independent variables. TMD pain and TMD dysfunction were included as dependent variables in regression analyses. Univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to predict TMD pain and TMD dysfunction in two separate models. Finally, network analysis was performed to investigate the associations between all variables. In the univariate analyses, TMD pain was significantly associated with self-reported AB-frequent (unstandardized coefficient (B) = 3.196, 95%CI 1.198-5.195, p = 0.002). TMD dysfunction was significantly associated with AB-frequent (B = 2.208, 95%CI 0.177-4.238, p = 0.033) and SB-sometimes (B = 1.698, 95%CI 0.001-3.394, p = 0.050). In the multivariable analyses, TMD pain was significantly associated with TMD dysfunction (B = 0.370, p < 0.001), stress (B=0.102, p < 0.001). TMD dysfunction was significantly associated with TMD pain (B = 0.410, p < 0.001) only. Network analysis showed that TMD pain is a bridge factor between AB, stress, and TMD dysfunction. TMD pain is directly associated with AB, stress, and TMD dysfunction, while TMD dysfunction is only associated with TMD pain. Reducing pain may improve pain-related dysfunction, and the management of AB and stress may improve TMD pain and dysfunction, and vice versa.

A case-control study on the effect of rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA) clusters on sleep fragmentation and severity of orofacial muscle pain in sleep bruxism.

Rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA) is a periodic muscle activity that characterises sleep bruxism (SB) events. These can occur as a single event, in pairs, or in clusters. Since RMMA episodes often occur in clusters and the relevance of this occurrence is unknown, we conducted a study to investigate the effect of RMMA clusters on sleep fragmentation and the severity of orofacial muscle pain. This study involved a secondary analysis using data from 184 adult subjects with orofacial muscle pain who underwent definitive polysomnography (PSG) for sleep bruxism diagnosis. Self-reported orofacial muscle pain (OFMP) was assessed using the numeric rating scale, and additional evaluation of side-to-side equivalence (symmetry) was described using a binary system. Among the 184 participants, 60.8% (n = 112) did not exhibit clusters and among the 72 participants with clusters, 36.1% (n = 26) and 63.9% (n = 46) were in the high and low RMMA frequency groups, respectively. The high SB group had significantly three times more phasic RMMA events than the noncluster group. A total of 89.67% (n = 165) of subjects reported orofacial muscle pain. While there was no difference in the severity of OFMP among groups, a significant decrease in symmetry between the severity of temporal muscle pain on the left and right sides was noted in the cluster group compared with the noncluster group. Clustering of RMMA events is associated with sleep fragmentation. The asymmetry of temporal muscle pain is related to the presence of RMMA clusters in sleep bruxism.

Prevalence of anxiety, sleep bruxism and temporomandibular disorders during COVID-19 in Qatari children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

PurposeUnderstanding the impact of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic social restrictions on the lives of children and adolescents is of utmost importance to enable timely diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of anxiety, sleep bruxism, temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and change in dietary and brushing habits and their association with COVID-19 social restrictions.MethodsParents of fit and healthy Qatari children and adolescents were recruited and interviewed by the research team, whereby validated questioners were used to assess the prevalence of children’s/adolescents’ anxiety, sleep bruxism and TMD. Furthermore, changes in dietary and brushing habits were also evaluated.ResultsA total of 199 parents of children and adolescents (mean age = 9.3 ± 3.2 years old) were included. Overall anxiety symptoms, sleep bruxism and TMD were evident in 29.6%, 5.7% and 23.1%, respectively. An increased consumption of food, sweets and worsening of brushing habits were evident in 51.8%, 62.8% and 31.2%, respectively.ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study, pandemic-related social restrictions could result in elevated levels of anxiety, specifically, social phobia, amongst children and adolescents, which could inevitably lead to unwanted dental consequences.

Comparison of the efficacy of occlusal splint and botulinum toxin therapies in patients with temporomandibular disorders with sleep bruxism.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of occlusal splint and botulinum toxin (BTX) therapies for improving the pain scores and mouth opening in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) with sleep bruxism (SB). Aretrospective cohort study was conducted based on clinical record reviews of patients with TMD symptoms (e.g., temporomandibular joint [TMJ] pain, masticatory muscle pain, TMJ internal derangements, joint sounds, and limited mouth opening) and SB. The patients were divided into two groups: occlusal splint group and BTX group. Maximum unassisted mouth opening (MMO) and pain score on avisual analogue scale (VAS) before treatment and at 1‑, 3‑, and 6‑month follow-up were analyzed to evaluate the clinical outcomes. Atotal of 60patients (49women and 11men, mean age 34.63 ± 11.85 years) were enrolled. Each group had 30patients. The comparisons of the groups at 1and 3months after treatment indicated that the BTX group had higher MMO values (P = 0.013 and 0.034, respectively) and lower VAS scores than the occlusal splint group (P = 0.000 and 0.001, respectively). No difference between the two groups was observed 6months after treatment (P > 0.05). Both occlusal splint and BTX treatment methods were successful in treating TMD with SB. BTX provided patients with rapid relief in the early period; therefore, BTX can be recommended as aprimary treatment option in patients with greater pain.

The continuous adverse impact of COVID-19 on temporomandibular disorders and bruxism: comparison of pre- during- and post-pandemic time periods

IntroductionSome of the conditions affected by the COVID-19 pandemic were Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and bruxism. The present study compares the effect of the pandemic on TMD and bruxism (sleep and awake) in three time periods: before the pandemic (pre-COV), during the pandemic (during-COV) and after the pandemic subsided (post-COVR).Material and MethodsA total of 587 adult patients (108 in the pre-COV group, 180 in the during-COV group and 252 in the post-COVR group) who arrived for a routine dental treatment between October 2018 and January 2023 were evaluated according to Axis I diagnosis of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Each patient received a DC/TMD Axis I diagnosis as follows: (i) Painful TMD (defined by the presence of at least one of the following - local myalgia, myofascial pain with referral, arthralgia or headache attributed to TMD); (ii) Non painful TMD (defined by the presence of disc displacement with/without reduction, degenerative joint disorders and/or dislocation), (iii) Possible sleep bruxism (SB) and/or (iv) Possible awake bruxism (AB).Statistical methodsLogistic regression analyses were conducted to establish the impact of time and gender on the prospects of painful TMD, non-painful TMD, SB and AB.ResultsThe odds of subjects to be diagnosed with painful TMD at the post-COVR era were 3.3 times higher compared to the pre-pandemic time period (pre-COV, 95% C.I. 1.438–7.585). The odds of subjects to be diagnosed with non-painful TMD during-COV were 4 times higher compared to the pre-COV era (95% C.I. 1.332–12.542). The odds of subjects to present possible SB at post-COVR were 2.7 times higher compared to pre-pandemic (pre-COV, 95% C.I. 1.258–5.889, p < 0.05) and the odds to present possible AB after the pandemic subsided (post-COVR) were 3.2 times compared to the pre-pandemic period (95% C.I. 1.496–6.949). The odds of female subjects to be diagnosed with either painful or non-painful TMD were 3.7–4.4 times higher, compared to males.ConclusionsResults indicate that with regard to TMD and bruxism the pandemic adverse effects persist also after COVID-19 subsides and the restrictions caused by it are abolished. Apparently, during the pandemic females were affected more seriously by painful and non-painful TMD than males.

The Role of Genetic Mutations on Genes PER2, DEC2, ADRB1 in Bio-Psychological Sex Insomnia Disorder

Sexsomnia, also known as sleep sex, is a type of sleep disorder known as parasomnia. Parasomnias refer to unusual sensations and behaviors, such as sleepwalking, that people may experience during sleep. In the case of sex, people perform sexual behaviors such as masturbation, sexual movements, sexual assault, or initiating sex with another person. Although their eyes may be open and they may make sexual sounds, they are asleep during these activities and are unaware of their behavior upon awakening. Research on the causes of sexual insomnia is limited, but experts have found that it is associated with a wide range of underlying conditions and risk factors, including: other parasomnias, such as sleepwalking and REM behavior disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, seizures sleep disorders, Kline-Lewin syndrome, chronic insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, persistent sexual arousal syndrome, sleep-related disorders, nocturnal psychotic disorders, teeth grinding.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on facial pain, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and awake bruxism in sleep bruxism patients, occlusal splint users

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic may lead to increased risk of developing or worsening bruxism and facial pain. Objective: To evaluate the influence of pandemic on adults with Sleep Bruxism (BS), both sexes, rigid occlusal splint users. Methods: Longitudinal observational study conducted in adults, both sexes, with Possible BS (n= 50), mean age 35.95 ± 10.35 years, before (T1) and during (T2) COVID-19 pandemic, in person and remotely, respectively. Presence and intensity of pain (Visual Analog Scale) in the masseter and temporal muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region, anxiety and depression (HADS), quality of life (QoL) (WHOQOL - Brief) and Awake Bruxism (AB) were assessed. Student's t- test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon, Pearson's chi-square and Mc-Nemar tests were applied (p&lt;0.05). Results: The frequency of subjects with masseter, temporal and TMJ pain was 72%, 22%, 42% at T1 and 44%, 26%, 60% at T2, respectively; AB was 78% at T1 and 70% at T2. At both times pain intensity was moderate, there was absence of anxiety and depression, and QoL was regular. At T2, the frequency of subjects with masseter pain decreased 28%, domains physical, psychological and QoL mean worsened (p&lt;0.05). The other variables showed no difference between times (p&gt;0.05). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of rigid occlusal splints contributed to pain control in masseter muscle; anxiety and depression were absent, QoL worsened, and AB frequency remained high.

Impact of Personality Trait of Emotional Stability on Oral Parafunctional Habits

OBJECTIVES To find the impact of emotional stability on oral parafunctional habits. METHODOLOGY A Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, Sharif Medical and Dental College, Lahore, over five months, from July to November 2021. Data was collected using a medical questionnaire and a ten-item personality inventory scale (TIPI). The medical questionnaire comprised two sections with 11 items. The first section had six demographic statements, including age, gender, marital status, occupation, educational level and medical condition. The second section consisted of a pre-validated parafunctional habits questionnaire. RESULTSThere was a non-significant difference in the scores of the personality trait of emotional stability across categories of oral parafunctional habits of nail-biting (p=0.093), tooth grinding (p=0.192), tooth clenching (p=0.055), biting on hard objects (p=0.17) and chewing gum (p=0.116). CONCLUSION Emotional stability was most prevalent in individuals who denied having the habit of nail-biting, teeth grinding, tooth clenching and biting hard objects but neither agreed nor disagreed with having the habit of chewing gum.