Open AccessOcclusion time analysis in military pilots affected by bruxism
Author(s) -
Alessandro Nota,
Simona Tecco,
Clementina Cioffi,
Alessandro Beraldi,
Johnny Padulo,
A. Baldini
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/s41598-018-38166-2
Subject(s) - occlusion , stomatognathic system , medicine , crew , dental occlusion , physical therapy , orthodontics , dentistry , surgery , aeronautics , engineering
Military pilots are characterized by peculiar job conditions related to intense accelerative stresses. For this, they frequently report work-related neck and back pain and are affected by bruxism. The aim of this case-control study is to analyze the occlusion time (OT) in a sample of military pilots affected by bruxism, compared with healthy non-pilot subjects. 14 military pilots, all males (mean age 35.14 ± 2.32 y), affected by bruxism, were compared with an age matched control group of 14 male subjects (mean age 32.29 ± 4.84 y). The T-Scan computerized occlusal analysis system (Tek-Scan Inc., Boston, MA, USA) was used to record the subjects’ occlusion times during 4 mandibular opening-closing movements. Military pilots affected by bruxism showed a statistically significant lower (reduced of 85%) mean OT, compared with control subjects (p < 0.0001). Military pilots are characterized by a highly reduced occlusion time compared to healthy non-pilot subjects. This feature could not be only related with the presence of bruxism but with their particular clinical job-related condition that causes different dental and stomatognathic system problems. Further studies are encouraged to enhance the scientific knowledge in this field.