Date of Graduation

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

Committee Chair

Mark Richards

Abstract

The presence of nocturnal bruxism in patients undergoing prosthodontic treatment can have a significant effect on the long term success of restorations. Patients who experience nocturnal bruxism are at risk for dysfunction of the stomatognathic system. This includes TMJ, muscles of the head and neck, the teeth and any restorations, and the periodontium. This condition affects the diagnostic treatment planning, treatment goals, and treatment prognosis of any prosthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study is to compare the incidence of nocturnal bruxism determined by an electronic device when compared to self-reporting from verbal and written dental histories. The hypothesis of this is that prevalence of nocturnal bruxism is actually higher than self-reported by patients from verbal and written dental histories. The materials and methods of this study consisted of 20 patients from West Virginia University Graduate Prosthodontic program. Each patient was given a questionnaire to complete. If the patient showed at least one symptom of bruxism then they were given both written and verbal directions on how to use the BiteStrip. The patient would use it as directed and return it within one week of use. The results showed that 11 out of the 20 patients that stated that they did not brux, 6 actually did brux. 70% of our patient population exhibited nocturnal bruxism. Wilcoxon/Kruskal Wallis test of ranked sums was analyzed for all seven of the questions from the questionnaire, but only question #1 and #2 were statistically significant. In conclusion the BiteStrip demonstrated 70% of the patients registered as bruxers. A fairly high percentage of those who scored as bruxers with the BiteStripR were unaware that they did brux. This device proved to be effective in determining patient’s awareness of nocturnal bruxism. Since many patients are unaware of their bruxism this devise should be very helpful to clinicians in determining which patients need treatment for bruxism.

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