An Update on Diagnosis and Treatment of Bruxism

Lee, Yeon-Hee

doi:2022.60.2.101

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 60(2); 2022 > Article

Journal of Korean Dental Association 2022;60(2):101-111.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22974/jkda.2022.60.2.004 Published online January 31, 2022.

이갈이의 진단과 치료의 최신 지견

이연희

경희대학교 치과대학/치과병원 구강내과

An Update on Diagnosis and Treatment of Bruxism

Yeon-Hee Lee

Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital/ Kyung Hee University College of Dentistry

Correspondence: Yeon-Hee Lee, Tel: +82-2-958-9454, Fax: +82-2-968-0588,
Email: omod0209@gmail.com

Abstract

Bruxism is a movement disorder characterized by grinding and clenching of teeth. Polysomnography and controlled sleep studies have allowed us to better understand the relationship between sleep stages, microarousal responses, and autonomic function and bruxism. Bruxism can sometimes threaten the integrity of the masticatory system when the magnitude and direction of the applied force exceeds the system's adaptive capacity. Thus, bruxism is the most common contributing factor found in patients with temporomandibular disorder and orofacial pain. In addition, it contributes to abnormal wear of teeth, periodontal disease, and causes considerable problems in dental care. There are two main types of bruxism, which are associated with various circadian cycles (sleep and wake bruxism) that may differ in pathophysiology. Bruxism is considered to have multifactorial etiology. Sleep bruxism have been associated with peripheral factors, psychosocial influences such as psychological distress or anxiety, and central pathophysiology involving brain neurotransmitters. Currently, there is no specific and effective treatment that can permanently get rid of the bruxism. Palliative treat-ment and alternatives have been mainly proposed to prevent the pathological effects of bruxism on the oral and maxillofacial system and to ameliorate adverse clinical outcomes. This study is a review of literature published in the last 30 years on 'bruxism', especially sleep bruxism, and is performed using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) Database and PubMed search engines.

Key Words: Bruxism; sleep bruxism; diurnal bruxism; clenching; temporomandibular disorder; splint