Method: The sample size calculation determined a minimum of 11 individuals per group. Among the children recruited, 36 who exhibited bruxism and 12 without this habit were selected. Bruxism was diagnosed based on the criteria of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine: incisor and/or occlusal tooth wear and parents/guardians’ reports of teeth clenching or grinding. We selected 48 children, divided into 4 groups: Group 1 – monitoring without bruxism; Group 2 – massage therapy; Group 3 – occlusal splint; Group 4 – monitoring children with bruxism. All children were submitted to initial and final evaluation of bite force and muscular activity. Children in group 2 were submitted to 15 sessions of facial massage therapy with duration of 30 minutes each and group 3 was treated with occlusal splint for a period of 30 days. The results were computed and statistical analysis performed using a significance level of 95% (p ≤ 0.05).
Result: No statistically significant association was found between gender and bruxism.There was a statistically significant difference in muscle activity of individuals in group 3 (p = 0.003) and the bite force of group 2 (p = 0.001) and 3 (p = 0.007).
Conclusion: The use of occlusal splints caused a decline in muscle activity and an increase in bite force of bruxism children, and that massage therapy did not alter the muscle activity, but provided an increase in bite force of these children.