Bruxism and psychobiological model of personality

Bruxism is an abnormal activity of the masticatory system, caused by both psychological and occlusal factors. The aim of the study was to determine the possible correlation between the temperament and character of patients and bruxism. Personality profile of 35 bruxism patients, with no history of psychiatric disorder, was studied by means of Cloninger's seven factor model of temperament and character. For diagnosis of bruxism, muscle activity was analysed and occlusal interferences and facets were registered by clinical functional analysis. Temperament and Character Inventory assesses four dimensions of temperament and three dimensions of character. Results suggest that bruxism patients can have following personality traits: exploratory, impulsive, extravagant and irritable, pessimistic, fearful, shy and fatigable, critical, aloof, detached and independent, lazy, spoiled, underachiever and pragmatist. Combined scores of character dimension indicate immature dimensions of character. Inventory is not standardized for the Croatian population, therefore the result should be taken with caution.