Bruxism: Diagnosis and Management

Parafunctional habits are potential source for trauma for occlusion. Bruxism is a pathologic activity of the stomatognathic system that involves teeth grinding and clenching. It can cause mobility, wear, fracture of tooth & restorations. Also may lead to periodontal & muscle pain and may contribute to masticatory system disorder. A maxillary or mandibular stabilization appliance is generally considered the most effective mean of managing bruxism. So splint therapy can be used to reduce the trauma from occlusal forces & to improve patients comfort. There is a large scale of different etiological and therapeutic approaches presented in scientific literature, but the main problem - bruxism in every day practice often remains undetected and badly treated. This review attempts to explain about diagnosis and management of parafunctional habits.