Prevalence of bruxism in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients: A systematic review conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and the cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions

Abstract

BackgroundSleep bruxism (SB) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are two sleep‐related conditions that have been associated with significantly conflicting results in literature. Understanding the prevalence of bruxism among OSA patients is crucial for identifying possible comorbidities and optimising treatment strategies.ObjectiveThis systematic review aimed at analysing the prevalence of SB in OSAS sufferers and understanding the association between the two.MethodsFive online databases were searched for relevant articles in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines for conduction of systematic reviews. Studies reporting the prevalence of bruxism in OSAS patients and diagnosed through clinical assessments or polysomnography were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using Risk of Bias In Non‐randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS‐I).ResultsA thorough search of literature yielded only two studies were eligible for this review. SB was found to be significantly present in the OSAS group. Despite methodological variations, the majority of studies reported higher rates of bruxism in OSAS patients compared to the general population or control groups.ConclusionThe results of this systematic review point to a significant association between bruxism and obstructive sleep apnea. Further research is required to determine a more precise prevalence rate and investigate the potential therapeutic implications of the bruxism‐OSAS association that uses a standardised assessment techniques and larger sample sizes.

Oral Health Implications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Literature Review

“…This relationship highlights the value of a team approach to patient care that includes dentists and sleep medicine specialists. Beyond these particular cases, our analysis found a variety of oral health problems associated with OSA, such as bruxism, disorders of the temporomandibular joint, changes in the palatal and dental regions, and even taste abnormalities [7][8][9][10]18,19]. The substantial effects that any of these illnesses can have on a person's quality of life highlight the necessity of early detection and treatment.…”

“…The connection between oral health and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) [3], a sleep-breathing condition marked by repeated partial or total collapse of the upper airway during sleep [4][5][6], is especially clear in human patients. The systemic character of oral health is highlighted by the interactions between OSA and many oral health issues, such as bruxism, xerostomia, periodontal disease, temporomandibular joint disorders, palatal and dental structural changes, and changes in taste perception [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Particularly noteworthy are the effects of palatal and dental abnormalities on the severity of OSA [15,16].…”

“…This is made worse by the fact that mouth breathing reduces saliva, which guards against tooth decay. The clinical picture is further complicated by the fact that bruxism is also commonly observed in individuals with OSA, which can result in temporomandibular joint problems and pain [7][8][9] (Figure 1). The amount of research in human studies demonstrating these links has increased over the previous 20 years, but there are still few evaluations of the literature that concentrate on the complex interaction between OSA and oral health.…”