Exploring the facets of bruxism: Classical negative consequences, clinical experiences, and novel diagnostic approaches

Bruxism may lead to negative health outcomes, such as musculoskeletal signs and symptoms and complications of oral implants. The exact association, however, is still not fully understood. Moreover, the diagnosis of both sleep and awake bruxism is challenging, with instrumental methods that can lead to a definite diagnosis not being widely available to both clinicians and researchers. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the association between bruxism and musculoskeletal signs and symptoms (chapters 2 and 3), as well as the association between bruxism and oral implant complications (chapters 4, 5, and 6). Moreover, aspects related to the applicability of diagnostic methods for bruxism in the clinic were studied (chapters 6 and 7). To this end, a systematic review of the literature (chapter 2), two clinical studies (chapters 3, 5 and 6) and two qualitative studies (chapters 4 and 7) were performed. Results of these studies showed that bruxism may to some extent be considered a behaviour with negative implications, i.e., musculoskeletal signs and symptoms and a possible risk for oral implant complications. Linear associations are not likely. Adequate, i.e., pragmatic and accurate bruxism diagnostic methods are cornerstones for future relevant research and more predictable clinical treatment, and in this context, smartphone-based technologies are promising tools.