Interdisciplinary treatment of bruxism with an occlusal splint and cognitive behavioral therapy.

The etiology of bruxism is associated with exogenous factors, such as occlusal interference, stress, and anxiety, as well as endogenous factors involving neurotransmitters of the basal ganglia. Due to the multifactorial etiology of bruxism, interdisciplinary treatment involving professionals from different healthcare fields has been proposed. The aim of the present study was to compare 2 groups of patients with bruxism (11 in each group) treated with either an occlusal splint combined with cognitive behavioral therapy or an occlusal splint alone.

Influence of clinicians' socio-demographic, professional and educational variables on their compliance with preventive measures against hepatitis B and C.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of a number of variables regarding clinicians' gender, social class, length of time since graduation and the level of knowledge on their use of available preventive measures against hepatitis B and C.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was carried out involving a random and representative sample (n = 319) of the clinicians working in Recife, Pernambuco, North-East Brazil. The participants were interviewed by means of a questionnaire, prepared and pretested by the researchers.

Assessment of orthodontic treatment needs in Brazilian schoolchildren according to the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI).

Objective: To assess the distribution, prevalence and severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs in schoolchildren from the northeast of Brazil aged between 13 and 15 years.

Research Design: Cross-sectional study.

Participants: A sample of 600 adolescents (264 males and 336 females) randomly selected and representative of schoolchildren living in Recife (Brazil) was obtained from 12 public schools.

[Genetic and experimental approach to bony craniofacial growth: the role of the divergent homeobox gene Msx1].

Tooth agenesis and clef palate are associated to the mutation of the Msx1 homeobox genes, highlighting the pivotal role of homeobox genes during the initial development of the craniofacial skeleton. Msx1 also controls the terminal differentiation of mineralised tissues forming cells. Recently, a Msx1 antisense RNA has been identified which inhibits Msx1 protein expression in odontoblastic cells.

Msx1 is a regulator of bone formation during development and postnatal growth: in vivo investigations in a transgenic mouse model.

The present study is devoted to Msx1 distribution and function from birth to 15 months, events and periods still unexplored in vivo using Msx1 knock in transgenic mice. The study is focused on the mandible, as an exemplary model system for Msx1-dependent neural crest-derived skeletal unit. The transgenic line enabled study of morphological abnormalities in Msx1 null mutation mice and Msx1 protein expression in Msx1+/- heterozygous mice.