Evaluation of sleep bruxism by polysomnographic analysis in patients with dental implants.

PURPOSE: The aims of the present study were to use polysomnographic analysis to confirm sleep bruxism (SB) and to evaluate clinical findings of dental implant treatment in SB patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study comprised the retrospective analysis of 368 patients with a total of 838 endosseous implants. Nineteen patients who experienced mechanical complications, such as implant or abutment fractures, loosened gold screws, or occlusal surface wear or damage, were selected for polysomnographic analysis to monitor sleep symptoms. Six patients in the study group were identified as having SB, and this was confirmed by polysomnographic analysis.

RESULTS: The SB electromyographic episodes were at least 20% of the patients' maximum voluntary contractions while awake and were scored. Most of the bruxism episodes (80%) were seen in light sleep stages. Only 5% of bruxism episodes were detected during rapid-eye-movement sleep. Sleep stage recordings were similar in all individuals. Bruxism episodes did not cause arousals. Patients were unaware of their nocturnal parafunctional habits. Despite protection with night guards, all patients were reported to have continued bruxism.

DISCUSSION: Since possible occlusal parafunctional habits may be evident in any stage of dental treatment, treatment outcome risks must be considered.

CONCLUSIONS: Polysomnographic study was evaluated as an effective, low-cost method to confirm occlusal parafunctional habits during sleep. Precautions against SB in patients having dental implant treatment have not been properly clarified. However, night guard protection appears to have some validity in patients having sleep bruxism.