Sleep bruxism: an overview for clinicians.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Neurology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Bruxism involves involuntary teeth clenching/grinding, potentially causing dental damage and pain.
• Sleep bruxism is now recognized as a centrally controlled condition, not merely a dysfunction.
• Potential protective roles of sleep bruxism, such as airway maintenance, are being explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of sleep bruxism's etiology, pathophysiology, and management.
• To highlight the shift in perspective from a pathological condition to a centrally controlled one.
• To inform dental professionals about sleep bruxism diagnosis and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on sleep bruxism.
• Analysis of diagnostic methods including patient reports, clinical examination, and muscle activity recording.
• Evaluation of various management strategies like oral appliances, behavioral therapies, and botulinum toxin injections.

Main Results:

• Bruxism can lead to significant dental issues like tooth wear, fractures, and periodontal problems.
• Effective management strategies include oral appliances, behavioral interventions, and, with caution, botulinum toxin.
• Irreversible occlusal adjustments are not evidence-based for bruxism management.

Conclusions:

• Sleep bruxism is a complex, centrally regulated condition with diverse risk factors.
• Treatment is indicated only when bruxism causes adverse effects.
• Dental practitioners require awareness of bruxism's multifaceted nature for optimal patient care.