ORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND SELF-REPORTED PRESENCE OF PAIN IN ROWERS: AN EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDY

ABSTRACT Introduction: Rowers are especially prone to oral health problems due to the massive consumption of supplements and isotonic drinks that lead eating disorders, due to the need for weight control, and to the development of teeth clenching caused by the constant activation of the chewing muscles during sports activity. Objective: To evaluate the oral health status of a group of Brazilian rowers and to identify the main risk factors influencing their oral health. Methods: One hundred and twenty rowers (84 men and 36 women) with an age of 24.16 ± 5.74 years participated in this study; an average height of 1.79 ± 0.09 cm and body mass of 75.02 ± 11.64 kg were detected by means of a questionnaire focused on the main factors that influence the deterioration in athletes’ oral health. Results: The dental results revealed a significant number of rowers with the oral breathing pattern (46.7%), malocclusion (65.8%), bruxism (33.3%) and noise and/or pain in the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) (20.8%). The use of supplements and isotonic drinks (48.3%) and the incidence of bleeding gums (30.83%) were also found. Conclusion: The results show the importance of making rowers aware of the relevance of oral health and the need for prevention systems, ideally including sports dentistry specialists within the sports medicine departments of rowing clubs. Level of evidence II; Retrospective study.

Can Orthodontic Treatment Be Stable 20 Years after the End of the Treatment Scheme? Treatment of a Class 2, Division 1 Malocclusion with Severe Skeletal Discrepancy and Its 20-Year Follow-Up

Class II malocclusions, after class I malocclusions, are the most frequent in the juvenile Italian population. They are most often skeletal in origin and due to mandibular retrusion. Functional devices seem to have a beneficial effect on the growth of the jaw. Long-term maintenance of the achieved results is essential for therapeutic success in any orthodontic treatment; moreover, the retention phase should last as long as possible, especially in the lower anterior sector. A female patient aged 10 years and 3 months presented a visibly convex profile and a severe mandibular retrusion. The anamnesis brought to light the habit of oral breathing and lower-lip sucking. The cephalometric analysis showed a normodivergent skeletal class II. The first treatment phase involved the use of a Bass type for 12 months at the end of the functional treatment; the second phase of fixed therapy was carried out following the principles of bioprogressive techniques. The photos at the end of treatment show an important improvement in the profile; a full class I ratio of molar and canine teeth was achieved with an excellent interarch relationship and a correction of the V-shaped upper arch. The result is occlusally and profilometrically stable after 2, 4, 5, 10, 14, and 20 years. The maintenance of a stable orthodontic result over time is the result not only of a correct and physiological occlusion but also and above all of a correct diagnosis and correct identification of problems that can cause the malocclusion itself. Flawed habits such as interposition of the lower lip and oral breathing must be intercepted and corrected early in order to correct them and not affect the long-term result of orthodontic treatment. In this case, a functional device associated with an orthodontic fixed finishing and a correct retention phase were necessary to correctly treat a second-class mandibular retrusion whose result remained stable 20 years after the end of therapy.

Correlations between temporary teeth and functional treatment in mixed dentition – case presentation

Objectives. Orthodontic treatment intends to create a harmony between dental, muscular and osseous components. The purpose of this case presentation was to emphasize consequences of early loss of temporary teeth on dental-maxillary complex development. Material and methods. 10 years old patient with dental movements following the early extraction of temporary teeth. The patient has habitual oral breathing associated with lower lip interposition. Results. The functional treatment with twin-block appliance was chosen, taking into account the age-specific growth potential. Discussions. Premature extraction of temporary teeth engenders lee-way-space loss, significant shortening and transverse constriction of the dental arch, elements aggravated by dysfunctions and parafunctions. Conclusion. The early extractions performed during the growth period, through the associated dental migrations, determine growth changes with consequences on the functionality of the dento-maxillary apparatus.

Oro-Dental Manifestations in a Pediatric Patient Affected by Helsmoortel-Van der Aa Syndrome

Aim: Aim of this case report is to describe oro-facial abnormalities in a patient affected by Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome, a rare autism syndrome, with not well described dental and cranial malformations. Case Report: Helsmoortel-Van der Aa Syndrome is a rare autosomal genetic syndrome causing mental impairment and autism, craniofacial dysmorphism, chest deformity and multiple organs dysfunction. Oro-facial involvement in Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome has not been thoroughly described yet. The present article reports a case of a 9 years old male patient affected by Helsmoortel-Van der Aa Syndrome, presenting with oral breathing typical facies, high arched palate, II class and dental crowding. The patient teething was adequate to his age. The enamel of incisors and molars showed demineralization areas and dark spots, a clinical picture consistent with molar incisor hypomineralization syndrome. These hypo-mineralized areas are more susceptible to cavities, in fact the patient’s 4.6 tooth was decayed. The child was brought to our attention due to a mucocele on the lower lip, confirmed by histopathologic examination. Available data on oro-dental manifestation of this syndrome are rather poor and inconsistent, also due to the rarity of the disease. The finding of enamel abnormalities in the presented case could suggest a potential genetic etiopathogenesis linked to the same genes causing Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome.

Investigation on the Effect of Oral Breathing on Cognitive Activity Using Functional Brain Imaging

Oral breathing directly affects behavioral performance and dental health. Various relationships between oral breathing and periodontal disease have been well-described. However, the effect of oral breathing on cognitive performance remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of oral breathing on cognitive function using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Twenty-two healthy participants (mean age, 22.27 ± 1.42 years) performed a two-back (2B) working memory fMRI task using a 3T MRI scanner while breathing through their oral or nasal passage. Functional activity analysis was performed using a statistical parametric mapping software package. One-sample group analyses were performed in 2B > Rest contrast. Functional connectivity analysis was conducted using MATLAB-based imaging software. Mixed ANOVA analysis was performed. The results showed more brain activation and connection during nasal breathing than during oral breathing. For Nasal > Oral contrast, various functional connections are known to have a significant relationship with working memory, including the left cerebellum, left and right inferior parietal gyrus. This can be significant evidence to demonstrate that oral breathing is an inappropriate method for intellectual activity using brain imaging techniques. Therefore, this study suggests that changing various habits related to oral breathing is important for cognitive function.

Bruxism in Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review

The role of bruxism in children and adolescents with Down syndrome, the most often diagnosed congenital syndrome, is still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a narrative review of the literature about bruxism in children and adolescents with Down syndrome to identify the prevalence, risk factors, and possible treatments of this disorder. Although an accurate estimate of its prevalence could not be inferred, it appears that bruxism is more prevalent in Down syndrome individuals rather than in the general pediatric population. No gender difference was observed, but a reduction in its prevalence was described with increasing age (around 12 years). The variability in the diagnostic techniques contributed to the heterogeneity of the literature data. Clinicopathological features of Down syndrome, such as muscle spasticity, oral breathing, and a predisposition to obstructive sleep apnea, may suggest a higher prevalence of bruxism in this patient group. Finally, given the paucity of studies on the management of bruxism in this population, it was not possible to outline a standard protocol for the non-invasive treatment of cases in which an observational approach is not sufficient.

Sleep Bruxism and SDB in Albanian Growing Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible correlation between sleep bruxism and risk factors of developing obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in a sample of growing subjects and to assess parental awareness about sleep bruxism in their children. Methods: The sample was composed of 310 subjects (173 females and 137 males), with a mean age of 8.9 years, attending “Ndre Mjeda” school of Tirana (Albania). All parents of the children participating in the study were asked to fill in a questionnaire manually or via a digital version. The questionnaire was composed of three sections: personal data, sleep quality data, and OSAS risk factors, and it was filled out by both parents. Results: Of our samples, 41.3% presented with bruxism, and 16.5% of the parents ground their teeth. Oral breathing was reported in 11.9% of the subjects, and among these, 40% of the subjects were affected by bruxism (p > 0.05). Of the subjects, 18.7% snore overnight. Comparing it with sleep bruxism, the two phenomena are often related (p = 0.00). Conclusions: Heredity, night-sweating, nycturia, oral breathing, and snoring seem to have a significant correlation with bruxism.

Mouth breathing habit: a review

Human beings are considered to be nose breathers but various reasons can force them to adapt by breathing through their mouth instead of nose, and this can have extensive consequences. Breathing through both nose and mouth provide lungs with oxygen but with extremely dissimilar effects on the body and with different levels of oxygen supply. Mouth breathing as a habitual respiration through the mouth instead of the nose. Mouth breathing results in a wide spectrum of consequences. These consequences involve different areas of the body which include mouth, craniofacial development, upper and lower airway. Mouth breathing can be considered as the most obvious manifestation of a syndromic pattern. Mouth breathing habit generally have severe effects on the growth of the facial skeleton and also on the occlusion of teeth on account of the displacement of normal lateral, buccal and lingual muscular forces. The pathogenesis of mouth breathing habit is complex and multifactorial. Mouth breathing is best managed by using a multidisciplinary approach where the specialists include pediatrician, physicians, pediatric dentists and ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialists. Since there is a close correlation between oral breathing and dento-facial in harmonies, the pediatrician and pediatric dentist should work together after an early identification of an oral breathing in a child. This review article aims to survey the scientific literature in regarding prevalence, etiology, consequences and treatments for mouth breathing in order to update the healthcare professionals regarding the recognition of this syndrome and sensitize them looking for an early and comprehensive intervention.