Does Tooth Wear Status Predict Ongoing Sleep Bruxism in 30-Year-Old Japanese Subjects?

Purpose: This study investigated whether tooth wear status can predict bruxism level. Materials and Methods: Sixteen Japanese subjects (eight bruxers and eight age- and gender-matched controls; mean age 30 years) participated in this study. From dentalcasts of these subjects, the tooth wear was scored by Murphy's method. Bruxism level inthese subjects was also recorded for 5 consecutive nights in the subject's home environment using a force-based bruxism detecting system. The relationship between the tooth wear score and bruxism data was evaluated statistically. Results: Correlation analysis between the Murphy's scores of maxillary and mandibular dental arch and bruxism event duration score revealed no significant relationship between tooth wear and current bruxism. Conclusion: Tooth wear status is not predictive of ongoing bruxism level as measured by the force-based bruxism detection system in 30-year-old Japanese subjects.