Sleep Bruxism Is a Significant Risk Factor for the Recurrence of Temporomandibular Disorder: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Abstract

Background: Oral behaviours are risk factors for temporomandibular disorder (TMD), but the associations between oral behaviours and TMD prognosis remain unclear.

Objective: To assess the effect of oral behaviours on TMD prognosis.

Methods: This single-centre retrospective study included 99 TMD patients (12 males and 87 females, median age: 28 years) who received physical therapy between January and August 2022 and completed a 6-month follow-up. Pain intensity, mouth opening, jaw function and oral behaviours were assessed at baseline. At follow-up, disease recurrence and the abovementioned indicators were assessed. Paired-samples t tests were used to compare pain, mouth opening and jaw function before and after treatment. Chi-squared tests were used to assess changes in oral behaviours. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for TMD recurrence. p < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results: TMD recurrence was reported by 25 patients, yielding a recurrence rate of 25%. After physical therapy, the patients' pain, mouth opening and jaw function significantly improved (p < 0.001). The oral behaviour during waking hours was effectively corrected (p < 0.05); however, it was difficult to improve nocturnal oral behaviour (p > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sleep bruxism was an independent risk factor for TMD recurrence (OR = 4.411, p = 0.023).

Conclusion: Sleep bruxism is a significant risk factor for TMD recurrence. Close attention should be given to whether TMD patients have a habit of sleep bruxism.