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 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 (TMJ) problems as a result of bruxism. 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 TMJ and can thus be considered a risk factor for TMJ disorders.
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.
The studies were performed using a state-of-the-art computer model of the masticatory region, which includes bone, cartilage and muscular structures. The subject of the research was the interaction of the shape of the affected tooth and the location of the tooth contact, both coincide in the phenomenon of bruxism. 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 as shown in the figure below.
The results show that both the shape and location influence the strength of the mechanical load on the TMJ. However, the flatter the tooth, the higher the loading on the joint and therefore the higher the risk of a TMJ disorder. Further research will now be conducted to establish whether this finding can be incorporated into the development of therapeutic interventions for sleep bruxism.
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