Evaluation of stress, chronotype, masticatory muscles and posture in children with sleep bruxism

In this thesis, it was aimed to examine the masseter muscle thickness, salivary cortisol levels, changes in head posture of children with sleep bruxism compared to controls, and to investigate the relationship between sleep bruxism and sleep habits. A total of 172 children, 86 in the study group and 86 in the control group, aged 3-12 years, selected among the patients who applied to the Usak University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics, participated in the study. Ultrasonography method was used for the measurement of masseter muscle thickness. For cortisol measurement, saliva samples were collected from children and measured in the laboratory. Posture analyzes were performed with cervical angle measurement on profile photos. The relationship between sleep habits and bruxism was examined with the "Morningness/Eveningness Scale for Children" and "Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire" applied to the parents. As a result of the study, masseter muscle thickness was found to be significantly higher in children with sleep bruxism at maximum intercuspation and at rest. Tooth wear was found to be higher in children with sleep bruxism. The degree of tooth wear in children with greater masseter muscle thickness was also found to be significantly higher. A significant relationship was found between parasomnias and sleep bruxism. However, no significant correlation was found between cortisol levels, cervical angle and chronotype, and sleep bruxism. As bruxism progresses, it can lead to many disorders such as TMJ problems, muscle hypertrophies, tooth wear and sleep problems, so it is important to diagnose and control it at an early age, and more studies are needed on this subject.