Sleep bruxism (SB) has been defined by an international consensus group as a masticatory muscle activity that occurs during sleep that is characterized as rhythmic or non-rhythmic and is not a movement disorder or a sleep disorder in otherwise healthy individuals. Depending on the respective life stage, the prevalence of SB amounts to approximately 14-17 % in children, 8 % in adults, and declines in the older population to 3%. This parafunctional activity may lead to localized damages on the teeth and/or dental restorations, but may also be associated with pain, such as painful temporomandibular disorders or headaches. Although the literature reveals many promising factors, to date the etiology of SB remains unclear. Similarly, a long-standing effective treatment is still lacking.
This presentation gives an overview on the topic of sleep bruxism. Etiological aspects, methods for its assessment, the association with other disorders such as temporomandibular disorders, and possible therapeutic approaches will be reviewed. Finally, future perspectives for both research purposes as well as for the dental clinician will be illustrated.