Comparison of Malocclusion Prevalence, Type and Severity between Cerebral Palsy and Healthy Subjects: A Prospective Case-Control Study

Influence of malocclusion on sleep bruxism and orofacial pain: data from a study in school children

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional school-based study explored the influence of malocclusion on temporomandibular disorders (TMD) pain complaints, and whether this association would be mediated by sleep bruxism in a representative sample of 7- to 8-year-old children.

METHODS

Path analysis estimated direct, indirect, and total effects of occlusal features on sleep bruxism and TMD pain in 7- to 8-year-old children. Occlusal features were assessed with Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI), orofacial pain complaints using the TMD pain screener, possible sleep bruxism based on self-reports, and probable sleep bruxism based on self-reports combined with clinical findings. Structural equation modeling analyzed data with confounding factors.

RESULTS

From 580 participants, possible sleep bruxism was observed in 136 children (31.5%), probable sleep bruxism in 30 children (6.7%), and TMD pain complaints in 78 children (13.8%). Malocclusion had no direct effect on either possible sleep bruxism [standardized coefficient (SC) 0.000; p = 0.992], or TMD pain complaints (SC - 0.01; p = 0.740). When probable sleep bruxism was set as the mediator of interest, malocclusion did not directly affect probable sleep bruxism (SC 0.01; p = 0.766), nor TMD pain complaints (SC - 0.02; p = 0.515). A direct effect of probable sleep bruxism on TMD pain complaints was observed with an SC of 0.60 (p < 0.001). However, in neither case, malocclusion indirectly affected TMD pain complaints via bruxism.

CONCLUSION

Malocclusion in 7- to 8-year-old children did not directly influence possible or probable sleep bruxism or TMD pain complaints. Instead, probable sleep bruxism was strongly associated with TMD pain complaints.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The impact of occlusal features on TMD pain complaints and bruxism has been a long-standing controversy in dentistry. However, the scientific literature linking this association may be inconsistent, mainly due to biased sample selection methods with inadequate consideration of confounders. Further research should try to identify additional risk factors for TMD pain in addition to probable sleep bruxism in children.

Comparison of the prevalence of malocclusion and oral habits between children with cerebral palsy and healthy children

BACKGROUND

Cerebral palsy (CP) represents for children an important problem of health and affects roughly 2 per 1000 live births and is the most common pediatric developmental motor disability. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, type and severity of malocclusion and oral habits in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and to compare them with a control group of healthy children in Sana'a city.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective, case-control study was made of two groups, a cerebral palsy and a control group. The study population consisted of 60 children who had CP, and a control group of 60 matched children with no physical or mental disabilities. Data were collected using a questionnaire and assessment for malocclusion was done clinically. The patients were compared with equal number of age-matched controls. The inclusion criteria were individuals aged over 6 years; absence of previous orthodontic treatment; no missing permanent first molars.

RESULTS

Results showed an increased prevalence of malocclusion in children with cerebral palsy. Molar class II relationship was statistically higher in cerebral palsy children than healthy control (P = 0.001). Cerebral palsied children are likely to have a significantly increased protrusion of the anterior teeth (P < 0.001) when compared with normal children. Mouth breathing and Tongue thrust. Habits were significantly higher in the CP group (p = 0.0001) when compared with normal children.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of malocclusion was higher in children with Cerebral palsy than in normal children, and the present study concludes that in children with Cerebral Palsy, more oral Habits problems due to oral motor dysfunctions are common and problems of mouth breathing and Tongue thrust produce different malocclusion and poor oral hygiene complications in these children.