Bruxism Increases Tongue Pressure

Objectives: This cross-sectional clinical study estimated the maximum tongue pressure against upper and lower teeth in patients with sleep bruxism, which is believed to be involved in tongue indentations and/or ulcerations.  This study also verified the effect of stabilization splint, used as bruxism therapy on the same variable. Methods: Data have been acquired from 40 complete dentate subjects (18 male and 22 female, mean age 26.57 years), which were divided into two groups (n=20): bruxers with tongue indentations and non-bruxers.  Sleep bruxism was diagnosed by the subject self-report, presence of aligned tooth wear, and masseter muscle activity, measured by portable electromyography device (Bitestrip®).  Maximum tongue pressure was measured using an upper and lower intraoral appliances containing a three small pressure sensors placed at the posterior and anterior lingual surfaces.  After first evaluation, subjects of experimental group received a stabilization splint as bruxism therapy, while controls received a “pseud-splint”.  Subjects from both groups were instructed to use splins during sleep.  Thirty and 60 days after splints use, maximum tongue pressure was again assessed. Data was submitted to repeated measures ANOVA, followed by Tukey test for multiple comparisons. Results: Bruxers showed an increased maximum tongue pressure (P<0.05) in both, upper and lower arches.  Splint therapy decreased tongue pressure, however bruxers still presented higher tongue pressure. Conclusions: Bruxers present increased tongue pressure and stabilization splint is able to reduce it.