Influence of Age on Orofacial Functions and the Perception of Sleep Disorders Associated with Obese Individuals

Isabela Hallak Regalo; Marcelo Palinkas; Paulo Batista de Vasconcelos; Debora Amorim Alves Aguiar; Annalisa Cappella; Riccardo Solazzo; Claudia Lucia Pimenta Ferreira; Claudia Dolci; Chiarella Sforza; Simone Cecilio Hallak Regalo; Selma Siessere

Authors

Isabela Hallak Regalo Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Marcelo Palinkas Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil. National Institute and Technology - Translational Medicine (INCT.TM), Brazil.
Paulo Batista de Vasconcelos Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Debora Amorim Alves Aguiar Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Annalisa Cappella Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. U.O. Laboratory of Applied Morphology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
Riccardo Solazzo Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. U.O. Laboratory of Applied Morphology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
Claudia Lucia Pimenta Ferreira Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. U.O. Laboratory of Applied Morphology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
Claudia Dolci Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. U.O. Laboratory of Applied Morphology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
Chiarella Sforza Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. U.O. Laboratory of Applied Morphology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
Simone Cecilio Hallak Regalo Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil. National Institute and Technology - Translational Medicine (INCT.TM), Brazil.
Selma Siessere Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil. National Institute and Technology - Translational Medicine (INCT.TM), Brazil.

Keywords:

Age, Functions, Obesity, Orofacial, Sleep disorders, Stomatognathic system

Abstract

Background: This comparative observational study investigated the impact of age on orofacial functions and the perception of sleep disorders in obese individuals. Methods: 48 obese individuals aged 7–40 years, divided into three groups: Group I (7–11 years, n = 16), Group II (12–20 years, n = 16), and Group III (21–40 years, n = 16). All participants had full dentition, except Group I, which had mixed dentition, and none had temporomandibular dysfunction. Masseter and temporalis muscles were evaluated using a wireless electromyograph, while lip, tongue, and cheek pressures were measured with the Iowa oral pressure instrument. Molar bite force was assessed using a dynamometer, muscle thickness with portable ultrasound, and occlusal force contacts between hemiarches with digital occlusal analysis. Participants’ perceptions of snoring, apnea, and bruxism were evaluated through a questionnaire. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance, Bonferroni correction, and Chi-square test (P < 0.05). Results: Significant differences in normalized electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles were noted across groups, with Group I showing higher muscle activation during mandibular tasks and lower bite force. Group I also exhibited slightly lower muscle thickness and significantly higher lip pressure compared to other groups. No significant differences were found in occlusal contacts between hemiarches among the groups. Conclusion: Associations were found between groups and sleep disturbances: snoring (moderate), apnea (very weak), and bruxism (weak). In obese individuals, age shapes orofacial functions and sleep disorder perception, with variations in masseter and temporal muscle function, lip pressure, and snoring perception.