Analysis of the effects of a mandibular advancement device on sleep bruxism using polysomnography, the BiteStrip, the sleep assessment questionnaire, and occlusal force.

PURPOSE: This before and after study evaluated the effects of a mandibular advancement device (MAD) on sleep bruxism (SB) activity and its associated signs and symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen young adults (39.9 ± 12.9 years, 58% women) with a clinical history of SB without sleep or neurologic disorders and no spontaneous temporomandibular disorder pain were selected. SB activity was assessed after a habituation period of 2 weeks. The results of a 3-month treatment with a thermoplastic monoblock MAD were compared to baseline using electromyogram polysomnography and the BiteStrip, a portable EMG device. Sleep disorders were assessed and validated against the polysomnography sleep assessment questionnaire (SAQ). Additionally, common signs and symptoms of SB were evaluated with the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders. Occlusal force was compared to baseline using a cross-arch force transducer. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in both SB activity and sleep scores (including SB episodes per hour) according to the BiteStrip and the SAQ, respectively. There was also a significant reduction in the signs and symptoms of SB, including grinding and/or clenching, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds, muscle pain, and occlusal force. None of the SB subjects experienced MAD breakage, but in 24% of patients, the MAD treatment had to be interrupted due to TMJ/muscle pain and/or discomfort. CONCLUSION: The MAD treatment resulted in the reduction of SB activity, SB signs and symptoms, sleep disorders, and occlusal force.

Validation of the Bitestrip versus polysomnography in the diagnosis of patients with a clinical history of sleep bruxism.

OBJECTIVE: This validation study compared an electromyography (EMG) device, Bitestrip, versus polysomnography in the diagnosis of sleep bruxism (SB). STUDY DESIGN: Forty-nine consecutive patients (32 women and 17 men, 41.2 ± 12.9 years old) with a clinical history of SB were included in the study from the Orofacial Pain Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. RESULTS: Initially, we compared an SB positive/negative test result for both systems (agreement 87.8%, sensitivity 84.2%, positive predictive value 100%, and crude kappa 0.71). We then compared a 4-scale test (no, light, moderate, or severe bruxism) between the 2 methods (agreement 80.27%, weighted kappa 0.51, and Kendall W coefficient 0.575). CONCLUSIONS: The Bitestrip can be considered as a moderate screening method for the diagnosis of SB, because it is more precise in detecting the presence or absence of SB but less precise in detecting its intensity.

Bite force and sleep quality in patients with bruxism before and after using a mandibular advancement device / Força de mordida e qualidade do sono em pacientes bruxômanos antes e após o uso de placa de avanço mandibular

Purpose: This study aimed to compare bite force and sleep quality in patients with bruxism before and after using a soft mandibular advancement device. Methods: Eighteen patients with bruxism attending the Occlusion Clinics of the PUCRS Dental School were selected according to the study eligibility criteria, examined according to the RDC/DTM protocol, and treated with a soft mandibular advancement device. Before the treatment and after 30 days the subjects were tested for: maximal bite force with a cross-arch force transducer placed in the first molar region, sleep quality assessed by means of the University of Toronto Sleep Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), and number of masseter muscle contractions during sleep measured with the adhesive BiteStrip®. Data were analyzed by Student t tests, Wilcoxon tests, and McNemar tests at a significance level of 0.05. Results: After 30 days using the mandibular advancement device there was a significant decrease in some bruxism parameters, bite force, and total SAQ score (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that the use of a soft mandibular advancement device for one month reduced bite force and bruxism and improved sleep quality in this sample.

Objetivo: Comparar a força de mordida e a qualidade do sono em pacientes com bruxismo antes e depois do uso de uma placa de avanço mandibular resiliente. Metodologia: Dezoito pacientes com bruxismo em atendimento na Clínica de Oclusão da Faculdade de Odontologia da PUCRS foram selecionados de acordo com os critérios de eligibilidade do estudo, examinados segundo o protocolo RDC/DTM e tratados com uma placa de avanço mandibular resiliente. Antes e após 30 dias de uso da placa de avanço mandibular os sujeitos foram submetidos a testes de força máxima de mordida com um transdutor de força compressiva de arco cruzado posicionado na região de primeiro molar; de qualidade do sono, de acordo com o questionário QAS da Universidade de Toronto; e de contagem do número de contrações do músculo masseter durante o sono usando-se o adesivo BiteStrip®. Os dados foram analisados por teste t de Student, teste de Wilcoxon e teste de McNemar ao nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados: Houve diminuição significativa (P < 0,05) dos parâmetros de bruxismo, de força de mordida e do escore total do QAS após o uso da placa de avanço mandibular por 30 dias. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que o uso da placa de avanço mandibular resiliente por um mês reduziu a força de mordida e o bruxismo e melhorou a qualidade do sono nesta amostra.