A STUDY ON THE PERCEIVED LEVEL OF STRESS IN A GROUP OF ADULT PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH BRUXISM

Authors: Gheorghe RAFTU, Elena-Claudia SIN, Aureliana CARAIANE, Steliana-Gabriela BUŞTIUC

Abstract:

Bruxism is a parafunctional, excessive grinding, involving involuntary clenching of teeth. It is a potentially harmful habit which results in tooth wear, deterioration of the structure of neighboring teeth, gum inflammation and recession, increased risk of periodontal disease, muscle aches and disfunction of the temporomandibular joint. Psychosocial factors, like anxiety, stress and depression can trigger and perpetuate bruxism. The goal of the present study was to record and quantify the level of stress in a group of patients diagnosed with bruxism and in a group of bruxism-free patients. Each patient has been clinically examined and each of them was given two questionnaires including 5 and, respectively, 14 questions. The study evidenced a statistically significant difference between the levels of stress perceived by the two groups of patients. Also highlighted was that the subjects diagnosed with bruxism tend to present a high level of stress in contrast with the patients that had not been diagnosed with this parafunction, which really influences the state of health of the dento-maxillary apparatus in bruxomaniac patients

Keywords:
  • bruxism
  • state of health of the dentomaxillary apparatus.
  • stress level