Preliminary studies of some masticatory characteristics of bruxism

The masticatory cycles of bruxist subjects were studied using a closed-circuit television movement detector. These cycles were compared with those of non-bruxist subjects. Early results indicate a shorter stationary period between masticatory cycles in all components of movement in bruxist subjects than in non-bruxist subjects. Also, in some bruxists, the envelopes of motion showed quite irregularly shaped patterns, with sudden changes in direction, while others showed a loss of the classical tear-drop pattern.