Nocturnal teeth grinding can damage temporomandibular joints

Date:
March 3, 2022
Source:
Medical University of Vienna
Summary:
Nocturnal teeth grinding and clenching of the upper and lower jaw
are known as sleep bruxism and can have a number of consequences
for health.

In dental science, the question of whether sleep bruxism is
associated with the development or progression of temporomandibular
joint disorders is controversial. New research shows that
certain tooth shapes and tooth locations could well lead to
temporomandibular joint problems as a result of bruxism.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Nocturnal teeth grinding and clenching of the upper and lower jaw
are known as sleep bruxism and can have a number of consequences for
health. In dental science, the question of whether sleep bruxism is
associated with the development or progression of temporomandibular
joint disorders is controversial. In a study conducted at the University
Clinic of Dentistry of the Medical University of Vienna, it was found
that certain tooth shapes and tooth locations could well lead to temporomandibular joint problems as a result of bruxism. The research
findings of Benedikt Sagl's team were recently published in the Journal
of Advanced Research.


========================================================================== Around 15% of the population grind their teeth while they are asleep. The problem is particularly common in younger people. The, often immense,
pressure exerted on tooth surfaces and on the jaws is thought to cause
various dental health problems and can also result in pain in the jaw
muscles and headaches.

Researchers led by Benedikt Sagl at the University Clinic of Dentistry
of the Medical University of Vienna have now investigated whether sleep
bruxism can also have a negative impact on the temporomandibular joint
(TMJ) structures.

Their research was based on the theory that specific combinations of
tooth shape and tooth location during grinding have an influence on the mechanical load on the temporomandibular joint and can thus be considered
a risk factor for TMJ disorders.

Angle of inclination and location The studies were performed using a state-of-the-art computer model of the masticatory region, which includes
bone, cartilage and muscular structures.

Such computer models can be used to investigate research questions when
direct studies on patients are not feasible on ethical grounds. The
subject of the research was the interaction of two factors that coincide
in the phenomenon of bruxism. The first of these is the shape of the
affected tooth, more precisely the angle of inclination of the dental
cusp that is in contact with its opposite number during grinding. The
second is the location of the tooth contact (the so-called wear facet)
during a dynamic grinding motion, which was considered by the research
team. The study simulated the effects of lateral grinding on the first
molar and on the canine with six different wear facet inclinations,
resulting in a total of twelve simulated scenarios.

"Our results show that both the inclination and location of the wear
facets have an influence on the strength of the mechanical load on
the temporomandibular joint," explains Benedikt Sagl. "However, it
would appear that the decisive factor is the steepness of the grinding
facet. The flatter the tooth, the higher the loading on the joint and
therefore the higher the risk of a TMJ disorder." Conversely, if the
dental cusps involved in bruxism have a steeper angle of inclination,
the calculated joint loading was lower, even with the same "grinding
force" (bruxing force). Further research will now be conducted, coupled
with clinical investigations, to establish whether this finding can
be incorporated into the development of therapeutic interventions for
sleep bruxism.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Medical_University_of_Vienna. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Benedikt Sagl, Martina Schmid-Schwap, Eva Piehslinger, Michael
Kundi, Ian
Stavness. Effect of facet inclination and location on TMJ loading
during bruxism: An in-silico study. Journal of Advanced Research,
2022; 35: 25 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2021.04.009 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220303112217.htm

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