Clinical Research Directory

Bruxism Therapy of Facial Pain

This prospective, non-profit study aims to better understand how occlusal splints (gnathological splints) affect daytime and nighttime bruxism (teeth grinding) and clenching in adults with chronic myofascial pain of the jaw muscles, a common form of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Bruxism and clenching are repetitive or sustained jaw muscle activities that can contribute to jaw pain and dysfunction, and their accurate diagnosis requires instrumental assessment of muscle activity. In this study, muscle activity will be objectively measured using a portable device (dia-BRUXO®) worn for 24 hours, which records the electrical activity of the chewing muscles during both wakefulness and sleep. Adult patients with TMD who are prescribed a night-time occlusal splint will undergo three 24-hour recordings: before using the splint, two weeks after starting treatment, and two months later. During each recording, participants will also report their facial pain levels and awareness of clenching or grinding during the day. Their results will be compared with those of a matched control group without TMD. The main goal is to compare jaw muscle activity between patients and healthy individuals, while secondary goals include analyzing how long the muscles are active and how these patterns relate to symptoms. By combining objective measurements and patient-reported experiences, this study seeks to clarify how occlusal splints influence muscle activity and symptoms, helping clinicians improve diagnosis and treatment of bruxism and TMD.

Effect of Night Guard Use on Masseter Muscle Thickness in Children With Bruxism

This prospective study aims to evaluate the clinical findings of bruxism and masseter muscle thickness in children aged 10-12 years using ultrasonography, and to assess the effects of night guard use on these parameters over time.

Bruxism Induced by Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sleep bruxism, and temporomandibular disorders is becoming clearer, but data on how upper airway volume affects bruxism due to OSA is limited. Recent studies have shown that Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) accurately images the upper airway, enabling analysis of its volume and its potential impact on bruxism. CBCT uses low radiation doses, significantly lower than harmful levels, making it a safe method for such assessments. Understanding these relationships can inform clinical practices for managing sleep bruxism, which affects 21% of the global population. The study aims to explore how upper airway volume influences the intensity of sleep bruxism related to OSA.