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Prevalence and side preference for tooth grinding in twins
K V Dooland1, G C Townsend, J A Kaidonis
1Dental School, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
Australian Dental Journal
|October 14, 2006
Summary
Tooth grinding is universal in children, often favoring one side. Identical twins (MZ) showed more side preference differences than fraternal twins (DZ), suggesting a mirror-imaging effect in tooth grinding. Handedness was not strongly associated with grinding side preference.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Tooth grinding prevalence estimates vary due to differing assessment methods.
- Investigating tooth grinding in children is crucial for understanding oral development.
- This study focused on monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs to explore genetic and environmental influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of tooth grinding in MZ and DZ twin pairs.
- To assess wear faceting on primary canines as an indicator of tooth grinding.
- To compare right and left side grinding preferences and investigate potential lateralization.
Main Methods:
- Examined dental casts from 116 MZ and 124 DZ twin pairs.
- Recorded evidence of wear faceting on primary canine tips.
- Analyzed associations between wear facets, zygosity, gender, handedness, and occlusal relationships.
Main Results:
- All participants exhibited canine tip wear facets, indicating universal tooth grinding.
- Grinding was lateralized in 59% of children.
- MZ twins displayed higher discordance in grinding side preference than DZ twins, suggesting a mirror-imaging effect.
Conclusions:
- Tooth grinding is a common, often lateralized, phenomenon in children.
- Higher discordance in MZ twins points to a potential mirror-imaging effect.
- No strong association was found between handedness and preferred tooth grinding side.
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