Enhanced sympathetic activity in bruxism patients

Introduction: Bruxism is defined as a diurnal or nocturnal parafunctional activity including clenching, bracing, gnashing, and grinding of the teeth. Among various pathophysiological concepts, increased diurnal stress has been frequently suggested as a possible cause of bruxism, but previous studies showed controversial results. Although it is well known, that stress is associated with increased sympathetic activity, autonomic activity has not yet been evaluated in bruxism patients. Objective: To evaluate autonomic cardiac control in bruxism patients. Methods: In 20 patients with clinically diagnosed bruxism (me…