Abstract
The present cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the association between sleep bruxism (SB), tinnitus and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The sample consisted of 261 women (mean age of 37.0 years). The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders were used to classify TMD and self-reported tinnitus. SB was diagnosed by clinical criteria proposed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The results showed an association between painful TMD and tinnitus (OR=7.3; 95%CI=3.50-15.39; p<0.001). With regard to SB, the association was of lower magnitude (OR=1.9; 95%CI=1.16-3.26; p<0.0163). When the sample was stratified by the presence of SB and painful TMD, only SB showed no association with tinnitus. The presence of painful TMD without SB was significantly associated with tinnitus (OR=6.7; 95%CI=2.64-17.22; p<0.0001). The concomitant presence of painful TMD and SB was associated with a higher degree of tinnitus severity (OR=7.0; 95%CI=3.00-15.89; p<0.0001). It may be concluded that there is an association between SB, painful TMD and self-reported tinnitus; however, no relationship of a causal nature could be established.
Highlights
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a collective term that embraces a number of clinical problems involving the masticatory muscle, temporomandibular joints (TMJs), and associated structures.[1]
The present study showed that painful TMD was associated with the presence of tinnitus (p < 0.0001), since 93.3% of the individuals presenting tinnitus presented painful TMD, versus 6.7% without painful TMD (OR = 7.3; 95%confidence interval (CI) = 3.50-15.39) (Table 2)
Our results showed that patients with painful TMD presented a greater risk for acquiring tinnitus, and that this risk was greater in the presence of sleep bruxism (SB)
Summary
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a collective term that embraces a number of clinical problems involving the masticatory muscle, temporomandibular joints (TMJs), and associated structures.[1] The etiology of TMD has been considered multifactorial, because one or more factors may contribute to its predisposition, initiation, and maintenance. Among these factors, sleep bruxism (SB) may be involved in triggering and/or maintaining TMD.[1] The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) classified SB as a stereotyped movement disorder occurring during sleep and characterized by tooth grinding and/or clenching.[2]. The prevalence of tinnitus in TMD patients ranges from 33% to 76%, which is a much higher rate than that of the general population.[6,7,8,9,10]
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