Involuntary Clenching of the Teeth in Daytime is Related to Tooth Loss

August 26, 2014

The research group in Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences has found that a certain kind of involuntary clenching of the teeth during the day is related to tooth loss and collapse of teeth alignment.

The findings were published online on July 14, 2014 in the journal PLos One.
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi2F10.1371/journal.pone.0101882

It was believed that bruxism at night was associated with tooth loss. S. Kawakami, S. Minagi and their group conducted a clinical study to examine the relationship between bruxium and tooth loss. Six progressive bite collapse patients, six age- and gender- matched control subjects, and six young control subjects were enrolled in the study. Electoromyograms (EMG) of the masseter muscles were continuously recorded with an ambulatory EMG recorder while patients were awake and asleep. More daytime clenching episodes were observed in patients with progressive bite collapse compared to the age- and gender-matched control subjects. More daytime involuntary clenching episodes in the patients were observed than nighttime clenching episodes. In addition, a specific daytime clenching pattern was highly associated with tooth loss.

Cavities and periodontal diseases are major causes of tooth loss. This study shows that daytime involuntary clenching is also a cause of tooth loss. The findings could lead to a new strategy for prevention and treatment of tooth loss.

Contact Information:
Mototaka Senda, Ph.D.
US Representative
Intellectual Property Office, Organization for Research Promotion and Collaboration, Okayama University
Fremont, California USA
TEL: 1-510-797-0907
Email: takasenda@okayama-u.ac.jp

Shigeo Kawakami, M.D.
Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan