A comprehensive method to classify subgroups of bruxers in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) individuals: frequency, clinical and psychological implications

Resumo

Bruxism is an oral pnenomenon described as a
parafunctional activity involving nocturnal and/or diurnal tooth
clenching and/or grinding which may cause teeth wearing, fatigue,
pain in the muscles and temporomandibular joints and limitations
in mandibular movements. Objective: To classify bruxers in four
different subgroups. Material and methods: Evaluation of 162
individuals presenting temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) referred
consecutively over a period of six years. Chief complaint, history of
signs/symptoms and clinical examination were used to gather data.
Individuals were classified as TMDs if they were seeking active
treatment for the following complaints: pain in the masticatory
muscles and/or temporomandibular joints (TMJs), difficulties to
perform normal jaw movements, tenderness to palpation of muscle
and joints, joint noises and. Patients were classified as mild, moderate, severe and extreme bruxers if they presented 3 to 5, 6 to
10, 11 to 15 or 16 to 25 signs and symptoms of bruxing behavior,
respectively. Data was submitted to Chi-square for independence
and Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.05). Results: Frequencies of 16.1%,
29.6%, 31.5% and 22.8% of mild, moderate, severe and extreme
bruxing behavior were found in this study. Moderate and severe
bruxing behavior occurred more frequently than mild and extreme
bruxing behavior (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The four groups of
bruxers occurred more or less frequently in this study and mild
and extreme bruxing behavior demonstrated the lowest frequencies
of such behavior.