Sleep bruxism and sleep-disordered breathing: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Neurology
• Dental Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Sleep bruxism (SB) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are common sleep disorders.
• The potential relationship between SB and SDB remains unclear.
• Understanding this association is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing literature on the association between sleep bruxism and sleep-disordered breathing.
• To consolidate current scientific knowledge regarding the potential link between SB and SDB.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of studies utilizing polysomnography for SDB diagnosis and American Association of Sleep Medicine criteria for SB diagnosis.
• Searches were conducted across multiple databases including MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and LILACS.
• Study selection and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers.

Main Results:

• Only one study met the inclusion criteria after an extensive search.
• The included study found no evidence supporting an association between SB and SDB.
• No masseter activity was observed during apneic events in the study.

Conclusions:

• There is currently insufficient scientific evidence to confirm or refute the association between sleep bruxism and sleep-disordered breathing.
• Further high-quality research is required to elucidate the relationship between SB and SDB.