Predictors of bruxism, other oral parafunctions, and tooth
wear over a 20-year follow-up period.
Carlsson GE, Egermark I, Magnusson T.
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry/Dental Materials Science, Goteborg
University, Box 450, SE 405 30, Goteborg, Sweden. g_carlsson@odontologi.gu.se
AIMS: To analyze predictors of bruxism, other oral parafunctions, and tooth wear
in a group of subjects who had been examined 20 years earlier. METHODS:
Originally, 402 randomly selected 7-, 11-, and 15-year-old subjects were
examined clinically and by means of a questionnaire. Twenty years after the
first examination, 94% of the original group could be traced, and 320 (85%)
completed and returned the questionnaire. Of the oldest group, 100 (81%) also
underwent a clinical examination focusing on occlusal factors and function and
dysfunction of the masticatory system. For analyses of predictors of some oral
parafunctions and tooth wear registered at the 20-year follow-up, logistic
regression was used with recordings at the first examination as independent
variables. RESULTS: Subjective reports in childhood of bruxism (defined as tooth
clenching during daytime and/or tooth grinding at night), clenching only,
grinding at night only, nail biting, and/or other parafunctions were predictors
of the same oral parafunctions 20 years later. There were different predictors
of the 2 components of bruxism, daytime tooth clenching and tooth grinding at
night. Postnormal occlusion (Angle Class II malocclusion) and tooth wear in
childhood predicted increased tooth wear in adulthood. Subjects with
nonworking-side interference had less anterior tooth wear than those without
such interference. CONCLUSION: Oral parafunctions in childhood may be a
persistent trait in many subjects. Postnormal occlusion and tooth wear in
childhood predicted increased anterior tooth wear 20 years later, whereas
nonworking-side interference reduced the risk for such wear in 35-year-old
subjects.Back to Main Bruxism Menu