Month: October 2011

Bruxism in children now receive greater attention on the part of parents. The FORP studies the theme.

In odontopediátrica clinic of Ribeirão Preto School of dentistry (FORP), the problem is the third question that most influences the demand for dentists, behind only caries and dental trauma. According to Professor Kranya Victoria Diaz-Serrano, FORP, this indicates how much the perception of bruxism changed. “Before they were professionals who, in a query for another reason, noticed that the child was creaking teeth. Now is the family that realizes the problem and seek help, “she explains.

To the teacher, who leads several research lines devoted to the study of the disturbance and Disorders of temporomandibular joints (DTM) in children, this family intervention increases the chances of an early diagnosis, the interception of the problem and a consistent treatment. However, explains the Professor, there is shortage of professionals specialized in bruxism and TMJ DISORDERS in children, which has resulted in increased demand for this specific service

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according to the teacher, the lack of trained professionals can take as point of origin to the fact that the majority of undergraduate courses do not include in their curriculum to address these problems facing children and adolescents, for adults only. “The high occurrence of disturbance generates an ever-growing need for trained professionals,” says Kranya, pointing out that the fact is one of the biggest motivations for

their searches.

in addition, the wide range of possibilities for exploration of the theme is also a stimulus for the teacher: “there are questions about the psychological profile of the patient with bruxism, what are the common characteristics constant, for example. Also started to raise hypotheses about the influence of genetics, systemic factors in occurrence of disorder “. According to her, much remains to be clarified.

Pioneer

the bruxism is an involuntary parafuncional characterized by clenching habit and dental rangimento, which can manifest in adults and children, both in vigil as during sleep, which is more common. Since 2002, research in FORP have as focus different aspects of bruxism in children

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one of them tries to validate a clinical evaluation instrument, another seeks answers about the risk factors that may lead to disorder. “We ask ourselves if habits such as chewing gum or nail biting may have some relationship with the disease, as pointed out the trends, but there is no scientific proof for this,” says teacher Kranya

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the ranger and tighten the teeth can bring consequences as dental wear, facial pain or even chewing structures in high-impact. Another survey of FORP concerns the application of complementary therapeutic techniques such as acupuncture, for relief of muscle pain, as well as to the decrease in anxiety and stress, considered risk factors for the manifestation of this disorder

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on another line, innovation is on account of the analysis of x-rays of MRIs and scanned children with the disorder, in an attempt to describe the possible changes in bone and dental structures caused by the problem

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Kranya Diaz-Serrano attests that these searches have several important fronts. In addition to contributing to the expansion of scientific knowledge in the area, still somewhat scarce, they aim to the training of professionals for the diagnosis and care of the child population with bruxism. Also the service to the community if consolidates as an expression of extension activities and social commitment of the University

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