Introduction

Bruxism is a repetitive jaw-muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible

• It is an oral parafunctional activity (unrelated to normal function such as eating or talking)

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Classification

• Nocturnal bruxism
• Awake bruxism

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Aetiology

• Psychosocial factors
• Genetic factors
• Medications
• Occlusal factors

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Clinical features

• Hypersensitive teeth
• Aching jaw muscles
• Headaches
• Tooth wear
• Damage to dental restorations (e.g. crowns and fillings) to teeth

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Diagnosis

Diagnostic criteria

ICSD-R diagnostic criteria (for sleep bruxism)

• Minimal criteria (include both):
  • Symptom of tooth-grinding or tooth-clenching during sleep, and
  • One or more of the following:
    • Abnormal tooth wear
    • Grinding sounds
    • Discomfort of the jaw muscles
• Supporting criteria:
  • Polysomnography shows both:
    • Activity of jaw muscles during sleep
    • No associated epileptic activity
  • No other medical or mental disorders (e.g., sleep-related epilepsy, which may cause abnormal movement during sleep).
  • The presence of other sleep disorders (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea syndrome)

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Management

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Summary