The sleep-wear syndrome

This article acknowledges sleep-wear phenomena and suggests research to study the correlation between sleeping postures and nocturnal bruxism through scientific studies. After the bruxers have been identified, the baseline muscle activity, bruxing movements, and sleep position data can be recorded. Individual treatment can be instituted in a sleep laboratory as follows: Some patients can be dismissed without treatment and others may merely need counseling in modification of sleep postures. Selective occlusal adjustment of centric relation closure interferences may be performed in some patients to test the influence of deflective contacts on nocturnal bruxism. Some patients may require the restoration of canine disclusion with composite or a bruxism splint, or both. Combinations of treatment could be performed and compared. These studies would enhance the understanding of the interaction between nocturnal bruxism and sleep postures, adding useful knowledge to the field of preventive dentistry.