The Link between Sleep Bruxism, Sleep Disordered Breathing and Temporomandibular Disorders: An Evidence-based Review

Abstract

REVIEW ARTICLES The potential link between sleep bruxism (SB), sleep disordered breathing (SDB), and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is an area of intense interest in the dental sleep medicine field. There is a growing trend among some clinicians that treatment of SDB and hence SB may alleviate TMD related signs and symptoms. However the evidence base underpinning such a move in clinical practice is questionable. To date, we do not fully understand the relationship among these three entities and whether causality actually exists. This review examines the relationship(s) between SB, SDB, and TMD with the aim of defining whether these clinical disorders are concomitant, and the nature and direction of any causal relationships, with the ultimate goal of providing advice to clinicians about what to do when they identify this clinical cluster in a given patient. This review will provide a pathway for future research endeavors, which ultimately will be of great assistance in moving the field forward in an evidence-based manner. Keywords: Sleep bruxism, sleep disordered breathing, upper airway resistance syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, temporomandibular disorders, comorbidity. Citation: Balasubramaniam R, Klasser GD, Cistulli PA, Lavigne GJ. The link between sleep bruxism, sleep disordered breathing and temporomandibular disorders: an evidence-based review.