Physical Therapy Interventions Relative to Dental Treatment in Individuals With Bruxism

Bruxism is a parafunctional habit characterized by grinding and/or clenching of the teeth. It may happen while awake (awake bruxism) or while sleeping (sleep bruxism). In adults, the prevalence is 20% for the awake bruxism and 8% for the sleep bruxism. Peripheral, central, and psychosocial factors influence the disorder, which may predispose to pain in the masticatory muscles and neck, headache, decreased pain thresholds in the masticatory and cervical muscles, limitation mandibular opening, sleep disorders, stress, anxiety, depression, and overall impairment of oral health. The aim of this study is to compare physical therapy interventions with dental treatment in pain, mandibular opening, sleep quality, anxiety, stress, depression, and oral health in individuals with bruxism.