Sleep Bruxism: A Narrative Review of Current Concepts, Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications

Sleep bruxism is defined as "masticatory muscle activity during sleep that is characterized as rhythmic (phasic) or non-rhythmic (tonic) and is not a movement disorder or a sleep disorder." This comprehensive narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on the prevalence, risk factors, assessment, and management of sleep bruxism. It emphasizes the condition's multifactorial nature, encompassing genetic predisposition, central nervous system mechanisms, alterations in sleep architecture, and psychosocial influences, particularly individual differences in stress sensitivity and coping capacity. The review also discusses recent advancements in assessment techniques and critically evaluates management strategies, including behavioral interventions, occlusal appliances, and pharmacological management. It highlights the importance of individualized, interdisciplinary approaches to care, guided where possible, by identification of underlying contributing factors such as psychological stress, neurological disorders, respiratory disturbances, or medication use, reflecting the evolving understanding of this complex activity.