Psycho-Neurological Status in Children with Malocclusions and Muscle Pressure Habits
Insights
Children with malocclusion and pressure habits, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), exhibit poorer motor control. These habits significantly impact the motor system, increasing energy costs for maintaining posture.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Non-nutritive sucking behaviors and pressure habits are established risk factors for malocclusion.
- Previous research suggests a link between psycho-neurological disorders and malocclusion in children with these habits.
- Conditions like Minimal Cerebral Dysfunction and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often diagnosed in children with sucking habits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the psycho-neurological status of children with and without malocclusion.
- To assess motor disorders in children presenting with various types of malocclusion compared to those with normal occlusion.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 135 children (aged 8-12) was studied, comprising 42 with normal occlusion and 93 with malocclusion.
- Psychoneurological assessment included a Parent's Questionnaire, the Kiddie-Sads diagnostic interview, and a Physical and Neurological Exam for Subtle Signs.
- Stabilometric tests were employed to objectively measure motor control and postural stability.
Main Results:
- Children with dentofacial anomalies and pressure habits, particularly those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), showed significant motor system impairments.
- Key parameters of statokinesiograms (crossed distance, sway area, ellipse surface) were elevated in these children.
- Increased physiological energy expenditure was required for maintaining upright posture.
Conclusions:
- Malocclusion, pressure habits, and ADHD are associated with compromised motor system function in children.
- These factors negatively affect postural stability and increase the energetic cost of maintaining balance.
- Further investigation into the interplay between oral habits, occlusion, neurological status, and motor development is warranted.
Abstract:
Non-nutritive sucking behaviors such as finger- and tongue-sucking, tongue thrust, lips- or cheek-sucking, nail-, lip- or tongue-biting and other pressure habits represent risk factors for malocclusion. The association between psycho-neurological disorders and different types of malocclusion in children with sucking habits was long studied. During neurological examination, many children with sucking habits are diagnosed as Minimal Cerebral Dysfunction or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) bearers. The aim of this study is to assess the psycho-neurological status and motor disorders in children with malocclusion and normal occlusion. 135 children, aged between 8 and 12 years old, were examined, 42 children with normal occlusion and 93 children with different types of malocclusion. Besides clinical examination, all children were studied by the following psychoneurological methods: 1) Parent's Questionnaire, 2) Diagnostic interview Kiddie-Sads 3) Physical and Neurological Exam for Subtle Signs and 4) stabilometric tests. This study shows as in presence of dentofacial anomalies, pressure habits, ADHD reports significant effects on the functional state of the motor system: increases are noted in all basic parameters of statokinesiograms (crossed distance, sway area and ellipse surface), which lead to increased physiologic energy costs to maintain the vertical position of the body.
