Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology
Volume:12 Issue: 3, Summer 2023

A scoping review was conducted to explore all the methods and criteria used in primary research on bruxism diagnosis.

A pre-defined and validated search was carried out in the PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Scopus, PeDro, LILACS, and Epistemonikos databases. Primary studies conducted on bruxism as primary condition in the adult population were included. The selection phases were carried out by peers, and conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer or by consensus. Data extraction and manual tracing were done in order to identify the relevant studies.

The search and selection strategy identified 472 publications, and after manual tracing, 423 studies were selected for analysis. The results on diagnostic methods were grouped into 10 categories. Different subcategories were described within these categories, resulting in a total of 73 diagnostic

physical examination (n=11), questionnaires (n=12), polysomnography (n=13), electromyography (n=5), the International Classification for Sleep Disorders from the American Association of Sleep Medicine (ICSD-AASM) (n=3), intraoral devices (n=10), history (n=7), audio-video recordings (n=3), smartphone applications (n=2), and others (n=7). In addition, the combinations of methods used in the primary research were also analyzed. The prevalence of use was calculated for all diagnostic categories and subcategories, as well as for the combinations.

There was high heterogeneity in primary research regarding the diagnosis of bruxism. There is evidence that not all diagnostic methods are properly validated. Future research should focus on

White oral mucosal lesions are among the most common lesions in dental patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of white mucosal lesions in patients referred to Kerman Dental School from 2006 to 2022.

This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study performed using the records of 2215 patients who referred to the oral diseases department of Kerman Dental School from 2006 to 2022. The records were reviewed, and the patients who were diagnosed with white lesions of the oral mucosa were selected. Then, a detailed history, including patient identification, complaints, duration of illness, personal habits (including addiction, past medical history, and familial history), was obtained. Patients’ information, including age, sex, location of lesion, duration of lesion, clinical characteristics (including size, color, and surface specifications), and microscopic diagnosis, were extracted and were entered into the data entry forms. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 by descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, and standard deviation), and the chisquare test was performed at a significance level of 0.05.

In the present study, 463 (20.9%) patients had at least one type of white lesion. The most common white lesion was idiopathic lichen planus (ILP) with a prevalence of 57.5% (266 cases). Out of the 463 patients, 294 (63.5%) were female and 169 (36.5%) were male. There was a significant relationship between gender and lesions in ILP (F>M, P=0.001), contact and drug lichen planus (F>M, P=0.006), and oral cancer (M>F, P=0.006). Finally, the most common site of involvement was the buccal mucosa.

The results of this study indicated that the most common lesion was lichen planus and the most commonly involved site was buccal mucosa. Also, most diagnostic concordance was found between the clinical and histopathologic diagnoses of lichen planus.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) impair orofacial function and reduce functional capacity and have an impact on a person’s overall health and quality of life. For clinical and research purposes, it is encouraged to adopt the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Diseases (DC/TMD) for an evidence-based assessment of abnormalities of the jaw joint. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing the jaw’s functional restriction and to assess the association between pain, the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS-8), and the Oral Behavioral Checklist (OBC) utilizing the DC/TMD.

A hundred and two patients with TMD were included in present study. TMD-Pain Screener and TMD-SymptomQuestionnaire from DC/TMD Axis-I were used. In order to determine parafunctional habits and function limitations, JFLS-8 and the OBC from the DC/TMD Axis-II assessment tools were utilized. Data analysis was performed using chi-square, the KruskalWallis test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. The Spearman and Pearson tests were used for correlation assessment.

Age, education level, occupation, marital status, and the onset time of jaw complaints of the 102 patients (64 female and 38 male) were not found to be associated with JFLS-8. Statistical significance was found between female gender and JFLS-8 (P<0.05). While there was no statistically significant relationship between joint closed locking and JFLS-8 evaluated with the TMD-Symptom Questionnaire, a significant relationship was found between open locking and JFLS-8 (P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between JFLS-8 and the TMD-Pain Questionnaire and also between JFLS-8 and the OBC (P<0.001, r=0.380; P=0.028, r=0.248).

DC/TMD is an important tool in the evaluation of jaw limitation. Female gender, presence of pain, and parafunctional habits are risk factors for functional limitation of the jaw.

Onychophagia, commonly known as nail biting, is considered a compulsive behavioral disorder primarily observed in children and adolescents. Nail biting behavior leads to an increased presence of various opportunistic microorganisms in the oral cavity. This study aimed to investigate the association between nail biting and mental health in children aged 10 to 16 years. It further compares the load of Enterobacteriaceae in nail-biters and non-nail biters.

A case control study was conducted on 50 nail biters (cases) and 50 non-nail biters (controls). Data were collected by using convenient sampling technique from school going students aged 10 to 16 years, using pre-designed and self-administered questionnaires, the Massachusetts General Hospital-Nail Biting Questionnaire (MGH-NBQ) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as well as saliva samples taken and tested for bacterial growth. All ethical issues were taken into consideration. SPSS v23 was used to analyze the data using descriptive statistics to calculate the mean and standard deviation. The independent t test was used to compare mean SDQ scores between nail biters and non-nail biters. P-values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Among the 50 cases, 44 (88.0%) of the students had positive Enterobacteriaceae growth, while 13 (26.0%) of thecontrols did not. Nail biters had considerably higher mean scores for emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems than non-nail biters (P value<0.001). All of the SDQ domains and nail biting were found to have a statistically significant (P=0.05) association.

The study highlights the persistent and burdensome nature of nail biting, which poses risks in terms of disease transmission. Additionally, nail biting has been associated with various behavioural and emotional disorders. Awareness of the harmful consequences of nail biting, along with appropriate preventive and treatment approaches, can assist young individuals in discontinuing this habit.

Health literacy is recognized as a key determinant of health-related behaviors and outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oral health literacy (OHL) and dental caries experience among pregnant women. This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 275 pregnant women covered by health centers in Arak city in 2021. Demographic information, self-reported oral health status, and brushing frequencies were collected using a questionnaire. OHL was measured by the Oral Health Literacy Adults Questionnaire (OHL-AQ). Dental caries experience was assessed using the DMFT index (decayed, missing, filled teeth). The age of pregnant women participating in the study averaged 29.67 ± 5.54 years. The average score of OHL was 10.14 out of a score of 17. Adequate OHL was observed in only 38.5% of pregnant women. The participants' score of DMFT averaged 9.39 ± 4.43. A significantly lower mean score for decayed teeth (p= 0.001) and a higher mean score for filled teeth (p=0.013) were recorded in a higher percentage of participants with adequate OHL than those with marginal and inadequate OHL. By adjusting the effect of potential confounding factors, the results of the multiple linear regression model revealed no significant relationships between OHL and DMFT among pregnant women participating in the study (p = 0.934). Fewer decayed teeth and more filled teeth were observed in pregnant women with higher OHL. The promotion of OHL may lead to adherence to health behaviors and subsequently health outcomes for the individual.

Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer in males and the fifteenth in females. Folate is essential for maintaining normal function of nucleotide synthesis and DNA methylation. Disruption of folate metabolism can lead to abnormal cell activity and proliferation. The aim of this study was to compare the serum and salivary levels of folate in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and healthy subjects. In this cross-sectioned study, 30 patients with oral SCC referred to ENT department and 30 healthy individuals were studied. Two cc saliva and 5cc venous blood were taken from participants and were evaluated with Human Folate ELISIA Kit. Independent T test and Pearson correlation coefficient was used and statistical analysis was done using SPSS 17. The result was considered to be significant if the P-value was less than 0.05. Serum folate levels in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (8.18 ± 4.37 ng/mL) were significantly lower than healthy subjects (10.61±5.79 ng/mL) (P=0.005). It was also found that folate levels in saliva were significantly lower in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (1.13 ± 1.32 ng/mL) than healthy subjects (2.84 ± 4.40 ng mL) (p= 0.029). Since the levels of serum and salivary folate in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma were significantly lower than that of healthy individuals, low folate levels are likely to be associated with oral SCC.

Supernumerary teeth, which are defined as any tooth or odontogenic structure formed from tooth germ in excess of the usual number for any given region of the dental arch, is a developmental anomaly encountered in pediatric clinical practice.This case report series presents the multidisciplinary treatment approach applied to three different patients with anterior maxillary supernumerary teeth.Case Series: Case 1: An 11-year-old male patient was treated with surgical and orthodontic interventions due to the delayed eruption of the supernumerary tooth in the maxillary anterior region.

Case 2: 

It was determined that the unaesthetic appearance in the maxillary anterior region of a 10-year-old female patient was caused by supernumerary teeth. The supernumerary teeth were extracted and the unerupted teeth were treated by orthodontic intervention. Case 3: In a 9-year-old male patient, it was determined that the reason for the delayed exfoliation of the primary teeth in the maxillary anterior region was supernumerary teeth. The patient was treated with surgery and orthodontic intervention.

Spontaneous eruption of permanent central teeth may last for up to three years. Orthodontic treatment may be required to ensure the even alignment of the erupting teeth. The teeth can be monitored for spontaneous eruption if there is ongoing root development, although orthodontic treatment will be necessary if the root development has already been completed, as such teeth have no chance of spontaneous eruption

Early diagnosis of delayed eruption of permanent successors is necessary to avoid many dental complications. The management of such cases should be designed by a multidisciplinary team as there is no definitive time to surgically remove unerupted supernumerary teeth.

Dentists are always preoccupied with the fate of teeth affected by traumatic injuries. The present study aimed to evaluate the opinions of dental students in Kerman Faculty of Dentistry about the mechanisms involved in teaching dental trauma courses and their self-assessment of the treatments they provide for traumatized teeth.

The present qualitative study was conducted using face-to-face interviews with senior (last-year) dental students in Kerman Faculty of Dentistry. The interviews continued until adequate data were collected. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and categorized. The content analysis method was used for data analysis.

Based on the results, the dental trauma credits provided in the faculty were adequate, but the students preferredcollaborative teaching and suggested that a single department should manage the credits that professors from different departments teach to avoid overlap. The majority of the interviewees believed that theoretical lessons alone were not adequate, and practical encounters with trauma patients required practical courses in the phantom clinic, and clinical management of trauma patientswas necessary.

Considering the students’ pinions concerning the inadequacy of theoretical presentation of dental trauma courses, to practically encounter and deal with trauma patients, it is necessary to incorporate practical training in the phantom clinic and clinical treatment of such patients into the educational curriculum so that such patients would best benefit from the treatment services.