Chapter 26 - Sleep-related bruxism

Summary

Sleep bruxism (SB) is categorized as a sleep-related movement disorder in the international classification of sleep disorders, but it is also widely considered a parasomnia. Sleep-related movement disorders are characterized by simple, stereotyped movements during sleep, while parasomnias are disorders of arousals or partial arousals during sleep. SB can be associated with the following consequences: abnormal tooth wear, dental pain, temporomandibular pain and headaches. SB should be differentiated from facio-mandibular myoclonus, respiratory disturbances, REM sleep behavior disorder, sleep-related abnormal swallowing, night terrors, confusional arousals, daytime dyskinetic movements. Dopamine-related medications have different effects on SB. Adrenergic medications have also been associated to SB. Sleep-related movement disorders, such as SB, have consequences for patients' quality of life when they are associated with pain andlor headaches. SB probably remains underdiagnosed due to the limited knowledge of patients, family members and clinicians.