Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Relationships between tooth wear, bruxism and temporomandibular disorders

  • Clinical
  • Published:
British Dental Journal Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article will provide an overview of the diagnosis of common temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and bruxism, along with their relevance in management of tooth wear. When assessing and managing a tooth wear case, the teeth should not be considered in isolation, but as part of the articulatory system, which has three inter-related elements: the teeth, the temporomandibular joints and the masticatory muscles. The presence/absence of bruxism and TMD are highly relevant, although there may not be a causal relationship between these. A consideration of TMD and bruxism, together with the potential impact these may have on the patient during and after any management of tooth wear, will form part of patient education and the informed consent process.

Key points

  • An overview of the diagnosis of common temporomandibular disorders and bruxism.

  • Discussion of the relevance of a diagnosis of a temporomandibular disorder to the management of tooth wear.

  • Discussion of the relationship between bruxism and painful temporomandibular disorders.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gray R J M, Davies S J, Quayle A A. A Clinical Guide to Temporomandibular Disorders. London: BDJ Books, 1995.

  2. Ciancaglini R, Radaelli G The relationship between headache and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder in the general population J Dent 2000 29: 93-98.

  3. Gnauck M, Magnusson T, Ekberg E. Knowledge and competence in temporomandibular disorders among Swedish general dental practitioners and dental hygienists. Acta Odontol Scand 2017 5: 6429-6436.

  4. Schiffman E, Ohrbach R, Truelove E et al. International RDC/TMD Consortium Network, International association for Dental Research; Orofacial Pain Special Interest Group, International Association for the Study of Pain. Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) for Clinical and Research Applications: recommendations of the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network and Orofacial Pain Special Interest Group. J Oral Facial Pain Headache 2014; 28: 6-27.

  5. McNeill C. Management of temporomandibular disorders: concepts and controversies. J Prosthet Dent 1997; 77: 510-522.

  6. Durham J, Davies S, Aggarwal V R et al. Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs): an update and management guidance for primary care from the UK Specialist Interest Group in Orofacial Pain and TMDs (USOT). London: Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons, 2013.

  7. Tallents R H, Macher D J, Stephanos K, Katzberg W, Moss M E. Prevalence of missing posterior teeth and intraarticular temporomandibular disorders. J Prosthet Dent 2002; 87: 45-50.

  8. Lobbezoo F, Ahlberg J, Raphael K G et al. International consensus on the assessment of bruxism: Report of a work in progress. J Oral Rehab 2018; 45: 837-844.

  9. Lavigne G J, Khoury S, Abe S et al. Bruxism physiology and pathology: an overview for clinicians. J Oral Rehabil 2008; 35: 476-494.

  10. Lavigne G J, Montplaisir J Y. Restless legs syndrome and sleep bruxism: prevalence and association among Canadians. Sleep 1994; 17: 739-743.

  11. Manfredini D, Winocur E, Guarda-Nardini L et al. Epidemiology of bruxism in adults: a systematic review of the literature. J Orofac Pain 2013; 27: 99-110.

  12. Wetselaar P, Vermaire E J H, Lobbezoo F, Schuller A A. The prevalence of awake bruxism and sleep bruxism in the Dutch adult population. J Oral Rehabil 2019; 46: 617-623.

  13. Fernandes G, Franco A L, Goncalves D A et al. Temporomandibular disorders, sleep bruxism, and primary headaches are mutually associated. J Orofac Pain 2013; 27: 14-20.

  14. Ohayon M M, Li K K, Guilleminault C. Risk factors for sleep bruxism in the general population. Chest 2001; 119: 53-61.

  15. Miyawaki S, Tanimoto Y, Araki Y et al. Association between nocturnal bruxism and gastroesophageal reflux. Sleep 2003; 26: 888-892.

  16. Michelotti A, Iodice G. The role of orthodontics in temporomandibular disorders. J Oral Rehabil 2010 37: 411-42.

  17. Thayer M L T, Ali R. The dental demolition derby: bruxism and its impact part 1: background. Br Dent J 2022 232: 515-521.

  18. Davies S J. A Guide to Good Occlusal Practice. 2nd ed. London: Springer, 2022.

  19. van der Meulen M J, Lobbezoo F, Aartman I H et al. Self-reported oral parafunctions and pain intensity in temporomandibular disorder patients. J Orofac Pain 2006; 20: 31-35.

  20. Manfredini D, Ahlberg J, Winocur E et al. Management of sleep bruxism in adults: a qualitative systematic literature review. J Oral Rehabil 2015; 42: 862-874.

  21. Okeson J P. The effects of hard and soft occlusal splints on nocturnal bruxism. J Am Dent Assoc 1987 114: 788-791.

  22. Stapelmann H, Turp J C. The NTI-tss device for the therapy of bruxism, temporomandibular disorders, and headache where do we stand? A qualitative systematic review of the literature. BMC Oral Health 2008; 8: 22.

  23. Moufti M A, Lilico J T, Wassell R W. How to make a well-fitting stabilization splint. Dent Update 2007; 34: DOI: 10.12968/denu.2007.34.7.398.

  24. Wetselaar P, Manfredini D, Ahlberg J et al. Associations between tooth wear and dental sleep disorders: A narrative overview. J Oral Rehabil 2019; 46: 765-775.

  25. Wazani, B, Dodd, M, Milosevic A. The signs and symptoms of tooth wear in a referred group of patients. Br Dent J 2012; 213: E10.

  26. Kuang B, Li D, Lobbezoo F et al. Associations between sleep bruxism and other sleep-related disorders in adults: a systematic review. Sleep Med 2022 89: 31-47.

  27. Nota A, Pittari L, Paggi M, Abati S, Tecco S. Correlation between Bruxism and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder and Their Effects on Tooth Wear. A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11: 1107.

  28. Manfredini D, Lobbezoo F. Relationship between bruxism and temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review of literature from 1998 to 2008. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; DOI: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.02.013.

  29. Smardz J, Martynowicz H, Michalek-Zrabkowska M et al. Sleep bruxism and occurrence of temporomandibular disorders-related pain: a polysomnographic study. Front Neurol 2019; 10: 168.

  30. Sinclair A, Wieckiewicz M, Ettlin D et al. Temporomandibular disorders in patients with polysomnographic diagnosis of sleep bruxism: a case-control study. Sleep Breath 2022; 26: 941-948.

  31. Arima T, Svensson P, Arendt-Nielsen L. Experimental grinding in healthy subjects: a model for postexercise jaw muscle soreness? J Orofac Pain 1999; 13: 104-114.

  32. Svensson P, Jadidi F, Arima T et al. Relationships between craniofacial pain and bruxism. J Oral Rehabil 2008; 35: 524-547.

  33. Fernandes G, Franco A L, Siqueira J T et al. Sleep bruxism increases the risk for painful temporomandibular disorder, depression and non-specific physical symptoms. J Oral Rehabil 2012; 39: 538-544.

  34. Smith M T, Wickwire E M, Grace E G et al. Sleep disorders and their association with laboratory pain sensitivity in temporomandibular joint disorder. Sleep 2009; 32: 779-790.

  35. Raphael K G, Sirois D A, Janal M N et al. Sleep bruxism and myofascial temporomandibular disorders: a laboratory-based polysomnographic investigation. J Am Dent Assoc 2012; 143: 1223-1231.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

All aspects of the manuscript were developed, written and approved in collaboration by both authors. Hannah Beddis is the corresponding author.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hannah P. Beddis.

Ethics declarations

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Beddis, H., Davies, S. Relationships between tooth wear, bruxism and temporomandibular disorders. Br Dent J 234, 422–426 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-5584-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-5584-4

  • Springer Nature Limited

Navigation