Sleep Bruxism and Occlusal Function: A Case-Control Study Based on Polysomnography in Young Colombians

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Sleep Medicine
• Orthodontics

Background:

• Sleep bruxism is a common condition characterized by involuntary jaw muscle activity during sleep.
• Understanding the occlusal and articular characteristics associated with sleep bruxism is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare occlusal and articular features in young adults diagnosed with sleep bruxism versus healthy controls.
• To investigate potential morphofunctional patterns linked to sleep bruxism using polysomnography.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 20 participants with polysomnography-confirmed sleep bruxism and 20 matched controls.
• Clinical oral examinations assessed wear facets, joint sounds, and soft tissue indentations.
• Occlusal analysis evaluated interferences, premature contacts, attrition, and dental inclinations using mounted models.

Main Results:

• Sleep bruxism cases showed significantly higher frequencies of temporomandibular joint sounds and left-side balancing occlusal interferences.
• Multivariate analysis indicated a moderate correlation between bruxism, joint sounds, and occlusal inclination.
• Associations between joint sounds and occlusal inclination were observed during both REM and non-REM sleep stages.

Conclusions:

• Specific occlusal and functional characteristics, notably joint sounds and dental inclinations, are associated with sleep bruxism.
• While no direct causal link was established, these findings suggest distinct morphofunctional patterns may be involved in sleep bruxism's clinical presentation.