Biopsychosocial aspects of sleep bruxism in children

The aim of this thesis was to obtain an insight into the interactions between the biopsychological aspects of sleep bruxism (SB) in children. To that end, validated instruments and calibrated devices for the assessment of SB in children were used. The studies were performed in Medellin, Colombia. In Chapter 2, the available information concerning SB prevalence in children is summarized. In Chapter 3, the correlation is described between proxy-reported SB and a “definite” SB diagnosis via polysomnography (PSG) - the current reference standard for the diagnosis of SB. The correlation between measurements of masticatory muscle activity (MMA) obtained with a portable single-channel electromyography device and with PSG, is presented in Chapter 4. The studies described in Chapter 5 and 6 are questionnaire-based. The investigations assess the associations of SB with quality of life (QoL) variables and sleep behaviors in representative samples of children belonging to different social layers. Finally, in Chapter 7, SB and dietary habits are evaluated as comorbidities to the presence and severity of tooth wear in the mixed dentition. Even though the biological, psychological, and social aspects, studied in this thesis, are the factors most frequently related to SB in the literature, it can be concluded that there are not enough elements to suggest that sleep behaviors or QoL are determinants of the presence of SB in children. There is a need for a better definition of the amount of MMA in children, and the association of parental-reported SB in children with sleep disorders and parasomnias.