Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Bruxism and its  Management in Dakshina Kannada Population

Authors

bruxism, knowledge and awareness, bruxism management.

Bruxism is defined as a ‘repetitive jaw-muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth

and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible’ with ‘two distinct circadian manifestations; either occurring

during sleep (sleep bruxism) or during wakefulness (awake bruxism).’ Bruxism may lead to masticatory

muscle hypertrophy, tooth surface loss, fracture of restorations or teeth, hypersensitive or painful teeth

and loss of periodontal support. A sample of 100 patients were selected for a questionnaire study to assess

the knowledge ad awareness regarding bruxism and its management. The results showed that there was

an overall lack of awareness in the population. Knowledge and awareness should thus be provided to the

population to ascertain early treatment and less discomfort to the patients having signs and symptoms of

bruxism.

Isha Singh1 , Manoj Shetty2 , Chethan Hegde3, Bharath Raj Shetty4

1 Post graduate Student, Department of Prosthodontics, 2Head of Department, Department of Oral Implantology, 3 Head of Department, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, 4 Reader, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore