Self-reported sleep bruxism is associated with vitamin D deficiency and low dietary calcium intake: a case-control study

Global Prevalence of Sleep Bruxism and Awake Bruxism in Pediatric and Adult Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the global prevalence of sleep bruxism and awake bruxism in pediatric and adult populations. Methods: This systematic review was conducted by analyzing studies published from 2003 to 2023. The following keyword combination was utilized: prevalence, epidemiology, population, and bruxism. The PubMed database was analyzed, supplemented by manual searches using the Google search. Additionally, the snowballing procedure method was applied. A double assessment of the quality of publications was carried out to preserve the highest possible quality of evidence (e.g., Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist). Analyses were conducted using the R statistical language. Results: The global bruxism (sleep and awake) prevalence is 22.22%. The global sleep bruxism prevalence is 21% and awake prevalence is 23%. The occurrence of sleep bruxism, based on polysomnography, was estimated at 43%. The highest prevalence of sleep bruxism was observed in North America at 31%, followed by South America at 23%, Europe at 21%, and Asia at 19%. The prevalence of awake bruxism was highest in South America at 30%, followed by Asia at 25% and Europe at 18%. Conclusions: One in four individuals may experience awake bruxism. Bruxism is a significant factor among women. It was observed that age is a significant factor for the occurrence of sleep bruxism in women. Among the limitations of the study is the lack of analysis of the prevalence of bruxism in Africa and Australia due to not collecting an adequate sample for analysis. The study was registered in the Open Science Framework (10.17605/OSF.IO/ZE786).

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthodontic Adult Patients' Characteristics and Decision on Orthodontic Appliance

Purpose

There is an overall paucity of data examining the specific details of orthodontic patients' patterns or orthodontic service disruptions possibly influenced by COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic clinic disruption regarding the change in adult patients' characteristics and decisions of orthodontic treatment devices.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective sample of 311 patients receiving orthodontic treatment from 2018 to 2022 were collected and divided into two groups: before (n = 167) and during (n = 144) the COVID-19 pandemic. Demographics, dental indices, the index of complexity outcome and need (ICON), and the degree of treatment difficulty were analyzed.

Results

There were fewer students among patients during the COVID-19 pandemic than before (24.5% versus 35.9%, P = 0.036). Compared with patients before the pandemic, more patients selected ceramic brackets or Invisalign during the pandemic (P = 0.022). There were higher percentage of class I dental malocclusions among patients during than before the COVID-19 pandemic (P = 0.044). Moreover, the ICON score and the score of the degree of treatment difficulty were both significantly lower for patients during than before the COVID-19 pandemic (63.9±14.0 versus 58.3±15.3, P=0.001 and 7.4±2.6 versus 6.8±2.6, P=0.049, respectively).

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the characteristics and decisions of orthodontic patients. Those who still came to the orthodontic clinic despite the COVID-19 outbreak may have been those with less malocclusion severity and treatment difficulty. Besides, during the time of covid-19 pandemic, more patients chose ceramic bracket and Invisalign as their orthodontic treatment device rather than conventional or self-ligating metal brackets.

Sleep bruxism: The past, the present, and the future-evolution of a concept

BACKGROUND

The concept of sleep bruxism (SB) has evolved exponentially over the past several decades. Many theories and hypotheses have been proposed as to the definition, pathophysiology, and management of SB, from the early 1960s through the present. The role of peripheral factors, such as dental occlusion, in the pathogenesis of SB has been discarded.

TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED

The authors searched several electronic databases (ie, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Embase, and Ovid MEDLINE) for studies on bruxism. The search was conducted from January 1961 through May 2023 and yielded 4,612 articles, of which 312 were selected for comprehensive review after eliminating duplicates and nonfocused articles.

RESULTS

There has been an evident progressive shift from the role of peripheral factors, such as dental occlusion, to more central factors, such as the involvement of a central pattern generator as well as the autonomic nervous system, in the genesis of bruxing movements. There is continued robust interest in the dental community to elucidate the contributing factors involved in SB.

CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The neurophysiology of SB appears to be leaning more toward central rather than peripheral factors. There is increasing evidence of the role of the autonomic nervous system, genetics, and comorbidities in the genesis of SB. The scientific literature seems to refute the role of dental occlusion in the causation of bruxing movements. As per the literature, there has been a paradigm shift in the definition and genesis of SB and its possible dental implications and management, which also highlights the need for succinct scientific studies in this regard.

Assessing the journey of calcium supplementation: A mendelian randomization study on the causal link between calcium levels and sleep disorders

BACKGROUND & AIM

Sleep disorder is a growing concern, and calcium supplementation is often recommended as a potential intervention for sleep disorders. However, the causal relationship between calcium levels and the incidence of sleep disorders remains unclear. Mendelian randomization techniques utilizing genetic variants that affect calcium levels, can provide valuable insights into causality. This study aims to examine the association between calcium levels and sleep disorders in a diverse population that includes both adolescents and adults, and investigate the effects of calcium levels on sleep disorders.

METHODS

Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using data from UK Biobank and FinnGen datasets. The inverse-variance weighting (IVW) was selected as the primary method. In addition, traditional mediation analysis was performed on a subset of the NHANES data spanning from 2007 to 2018.

RESULTS

Our findings provide evidence supporting a causal relationship between calcium intake and reduced risk of sleep disorders (beta = -0.079, SE = 0.0395, P = 0.0457). While not reaching statistical significance, other MR methods such as weighted median and Mr-Egger exhibited similar directional trends. Analysis of the NHANES cohort revealed a negative association between calcium levels and the prevalence of sleep disorders in male, black, and physically active populations. However, this association was not observed in other demographic groups.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that there is no significant correlation between calcium levels and sleep disorder in non-exercise populations. This raises concerns about the long-term high-dose calcium supplementation in clinical practice, which requires further investigation.

Nutrient insufficiencies and deficiencies involved in the pathogenesis of bruxism (Review)

Stress has been well-documented to have a significant role in the etiopathogenesis of bruxism. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and subsequent release of corticosteroids lead to increased muscle activity. Neurological studies have demonstrated that chronic stress exposure induces neurodegeneration of important neuronal structures and destabilization of the mesocortical dopaminergic pathway. These disruptions impair the abilities to counteract the overactivity of the HPA axis and disinhibit involuntary muscle activity, while at the same time, there is activation of the amygdala. Recent evidence shows that overactivation of the amygdala under stressful stimuli causes rhythmic jaw muscle activity by over activating the mesencephalic and motor trigeminal nuclei. The present review aimed to discuss the negative effects of certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies, such as vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, on the central nervous system. It provides evidence on how such insufficiencies may increase stress sensitivity and neuromuscular excitability and thereby reduce the ability to effectively respond to the overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, and also how stress can in turn lead to these insufficiencies. Finally, the positive effects of individualized supplementation are discussed in the context of diminishing anxiety and oxidative stress, neuroprotection and in the reversal of neurodegeneration, and also in alleviating/reducing neuromuscular symptoms.

Systemic Factors in Temporomandibular Disorder Pain

The science of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and its management has gone through significant changes during the last several decades. The authors strongly feel that the effect of systemic factors influencing TMD pain has been largely overlooked and poorly accounted for, even in established pain-management programs and protocols. The hope is that this article will act as a wake-up call for the pain management community to consider the importance of adequate knowledge of the systemic factors that affect the experience of TMD pain by the patient.

The relationship of biochemical factors related to calcium metabolism with temporomandibular disorders

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between calcium metabolism-related biochemical factors (alkaline phosphatase, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorus and magnesium), and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk displacement with reduction (DDWR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective observational study included patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (n = 50) and healthy controls (n = 50) of similar age and sex. The diagnosis of TMJ DDWR was made using the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular joint disorders (DC/TMD). Both groups were compared in terms of serum alkaline phosphatase, 25 (OH) vitamin D, PTH, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels. P<0.005 was accepted as a significant difference.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). Calcium levels of patients with TMD were statistically significantly lower than control patients (p<0.05). While there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean VIT D, the number of people with severe Vit D deficiency (<10 ng) in the TMD group was significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of serum alkaline phosphatase, magnesium, phosphorus and PTH levels.

CONCLUSION

The differences in serum calcium and vitamin D levels seen in the study indicate that biochemical factors related to calcium metabolism may be associated with TMJ DDWR. These results suggest that calcium and vitamin D deficiency should be evaluated and corrected in patients with TMD.

Treatment Options of Maxillofacial Fractures in Iran: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

Background

The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the treatment options of maxillofacial fractures in Iran, complementing a previous article regarding causes and the overall prevalence.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science (WS) and Google Scholar (GS) electronic databases was conducted to identify the relevant articles published up to January 2023. Studies reporting the treatment option of maxillofacial fractures in Iran were included in the analysis. MOOSE guidelines were adopted for the current systematic review. No data or language restriction were applied. Risk of bias across the articles was assessed.

Results

This systematic review included 13 articles with a total of 19,147 treated patients for maxillofacial fractures. ORIF was the most common type of treatment, but complications occurred in approximately 5% of cases. Mandible fractures were not statistically more treated by ORIF than closed reduction or conservative treatment, and no type of treatment was considered statistically preferable depending on the anatomical region affected by Iranian maxillofacial surgeons. The included studies were considered to have a low risk of bias, but many were not clear in reporting cross-referenced data regarding the type of treatment, which could be considered a major flaw.

Conclusion

Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the types of treatment used for maxillofacial fractures by Iranian surgeons and highlights the importance of clear reporting of data in research articles.

The Relationship between the Plasma Concentration of Electrolytes and Intensity of Sleep Bruxism and Blood Pressure Variability among Sleep Bruxers

Plasma sodium plays a major role in regulating blood pressure (BP). An augmented variability of BP is considered a risk factor for the development of arterial hypertension, which is prevalent among patients with suspected sleep bruxism (SB). The aims of this study were to assess the plasma concentration of electrolytes and their effect on the intensity of SB and BP variability among sleep bruxers. A total of 51 patients were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. A single full-night polysomnographic examination was conducted in the Wroclaw Medical University Sleep Laboratory, Poland, and based on the guidelines of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the results were analyzed. The monitoring of ambulatory BP was performed the next day, and the plasma levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium were measured. The mean age of the studied group was 33.9 ± 11.2 years, and the mean bruxism episode index (BEI) was 4.94 ± 3.53. The study revealed statistically significant differences in the plasma concentrations of sodium in the SB group. A decreased sodium concentration was observed in the group of mild bruxers (2 ≤ BEI < 4) (139.7 ± 1.4 vs. 142.8 ± 3.2, p = 0.002) and severe bruxers (BEI ≥ 4) (140.5 ± 2.0 vs. 142.8 ± 3.2, p = 0.016) compared to nonbruxers (BEI < 2). A statistically significant positive linear correlation was found between plasma sodium concentration and daytime systolic BP variability (r = 0.32, p < 0.05) as well as between plasma sodium concentration and nighttime diastolic BP variability (r = 0.31, p < 0.05). The preliminary results suggest the probable relationship between the lower plasma concentration of sodium and increased intensity of SB and BP variability among suspected sleep bruxers.

Associated factors of primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in patients with sleep bruxism: a questionnaire study

Background

By being aware of the associated factors of primary snoring (PS) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in sleep bruxism (SB) patients, dentists may contribute to the screening and early recognition of SB patients with PS or OSA.

Objective

To identify the associated factors of PS and OSA from questionnaire‐based data in SB patients.

Methods

A total of 968 self‐reported SB patients (31.6% men; median age 44.5 years) were retrospectively enrolled. Self‐reported sleep‐related breathing status (viz., no sleep‐related breathing condition, PS and OSA) was the dependent variable. Independent variables were questionnaire‐based data on demographics, lifestyle, psychological status, pain and sleep.

Results

For PS, no statistically significant associated factor was identified in analyses. For OSA, increased age (OR = 1.04 [1.03–1.06]), male gender (OR = 3.33 [2.17–5.00]), daily alcohol consumption (OR = 1.96 [1.18–3.33]), depression (OR = 1.10 [1.06–1.14]), daytime sleepiness (OR = 2.94 [1.85–4.76]) and high risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; OR = 2.63 [1.52–4.76]) were found to be significant risk factors, while high risk of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain (OR = 0.51 [0.30–0.86]) and chronic pain (OR = 0.73 [0.59–0.90]) were significant protective factors. These results were confirmed in the subsequent network analysis.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, no associated factor is identified for PS. For OSA, dentists should keep in mind that increased age, male gender, daily alcohol consumption, depression, daytime sleepiness and high GERD risk are associated with increased OSA risk in SB patients, while high TMD‐pain risk and chronic pain are associated with decreased OSA risk in this population.

Vitamin D and Temporomandibular Disorders: What Do We Know So Far?

Background and aims. Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin with the aid of ultraviolet-B radiation, playing a variety of roles in the body. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of pathological conditions involving the temporomandibular joints as well as the masticatory muscles and othersurrounding tissues. In the present narrative review, we investigated the potential role of vitamin D in the etiology of temporomandibular disorders in order todetermine whether the current knowledge supports 25-hidroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) supplementation in temporomandibular disorders associated with insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D. Methods. A literature research was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases, and a total of 10 articles were included for analysis. Results.Among the observational studies published to date, investigating the role for vitamin D in the etiology of TMDs, six of them suggest that there is a connection between the two aspects. In this context, patients suffering from TMD, with deficient levels of vitamin D (<30 ng/mL), are most likely to benefit from supplementation, whereas individuals with vitamin D level >50ng/mL probably have little benefit from supplementation.Conclusion.Vitamin D might be a safe, simple, and potentially beneficial way to prevent TMDs or to reduce pain; however, more randomized and placebo-controlled trials are required before any firm conclusions can be drawn.