2001/12/01 by Frank Lobbezoo, F. Lobbezoo, M. Naeije · 10 citations
Health Professions · Medicine · Neuroscience · Psychology · #Arousal #Botulinum Toxin and Related Neurological Disorders #Dopamine #Dopaminergic #Electromyography #Etiology #Medicine #Neuroscience #Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research #Pathology #Pathophysiology #Psychiatry #Psychology #Sleep Bruxism #Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
paper · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2842.2001.00839.x
crossref issued 2001/12/01 · crossref published 2001/12/01 · crossref published-print 2001/12/01 · openalex publication_date 2001/12/01 · crossref published-online 2001/12/20 · crossref created 2003/03/12 · crossref deposited 2023/10/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04 · crossref indexed 2026/08/06
Bruxism is a controversial phenomenon. Both its definition and the diagnostic procedure contribute to the fact that the literature about the aetiology of this disorder is difficult to interpret. There is, however, consensus about the multifactorial nature of the aetiology. Besides peripheral (morphological) factors, central (pathophysiological and psychological) factors can be distinguished. In the past, morphological factors, like occlusal discrepancies and the anatomy of the bony structures of the orofacial region, have been considered the main causative factors for bruxism. Nowadays, these factors play only a small role, if any. Recent focus is more on the pathophysiological factors. For example, bruxism has been suggested to be part of a sleep arousal response. In addition, bruxism appears to be modulated by various neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. More specifically, disturbances in the central dopaminergic system have been linked to bruxism. Further, factors like smoking, alcohol, drugs, diseases and trauma may be involved in the bruxism aetiology. Psychological factors like stress and personality are frequently mentioned in relation to bruxism as well. However, research to these factors comes to equivocal results and needs further attention. Taken all evidence together, bruxism appears to be mainly regulated centrally, not peripherally.