Title:Effects on Sleep Bruxism Activity of Three Different Oral Appliances: One
Year Longitudinal Cohort Study
Volume: 21
Issue: 8
Author(s): Andrea Bargellini*, Tommaso Castroflorio, Vanessa Graziano, Giovanni Cugliari and Andrea Deregibus
Affiliation:
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Specialization School of Orthodontics, Dental School, University of Torino, Torino,
Italy
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Gnathology Unit, Dental School, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
Keywords:
Sleep bruxism, diagnosis, oral appliances, orthodontics, gnathology, orofacial pain.
Abstract:
Background: Different oral appliances (OAs) have been proposed to control sleep bruxism
(SB) detrimental effects on the stomatognathic system.
Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different OAs on SB activity and masticatory
muscle activity (sMMA) measured by EMG.
Methods: This longitudinal cohort study was conducted on 51 patients (21 M, 30 F, mean age 26,5 ±
3,5) suffering from SB diagnosed with a validated portable EMG-ECG holter and wearing different
OAs: occlusal splints, functional appliance with metallic bites and clear aligners followed after 1 week,
1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months from delivery. A control group of 16 non-treated SB patients
(6 M, 10 F mean age 27,1 ± 1,4) was used as a reference. A multiple regression analysis was performed
to estimate the differences between groups. The level of significance was set as P value <0,05.
Results: Occlusal splint reduced sleep bruxism index after 1 week, 3, 6 and 12 months from delivery
while functional appliance only after 12 months. Occlusal splints reduced general phasic contractions
only in the first week and sleep bruxism-related phasic contractions at 1 week, 3 and 6 months after
delivery with no significant reductions after 12 months. Patients wearing clear aligners showed a reduction
in general tonic contractions after 6 and 12 months.
Conclusion: Resin and metal bites can reduce sleep bruxism index, while resin bites can reduce sleep
bruxism-related phasic contractions. Clear aligners do not influence sleep bruxism index but can reduce
tonic contractions.
