Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on facial pain, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and awake bruxism in sleep bruxism patients, occlusal splint users

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic may lead to increased risk of developing or worsening bruxism and facial pain. Objective: To evaluate the influence of pandemic on adults with Sleep Bruxism (BS), both sexes, rigid occlusal splint users. Methods: Longitudinal observational study conducted in adults, both sexes, with Possible BS (n= 50), mean age 35.95 ± 10.35 years, before (T1) and during (T2) COVID-19 pandemic, in person and remotely, respectively. Presence and intensity of pain (Visual Analog Scale) in the masseter and temporal muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region, anxiety and depression (HADS), quality of life (QoL) (WHOQOL - Brief) and Awake Bruxism (AB) were assessed. Student's t- test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon, Pearson's chi-square and Mc-Nemar tests were applied (p<0.05). Results: The frequency of subjects with masseter, temporal and TMJ pain was 72%, 22%, 42% at T1 and 44%, 26%, 60% at T2, respectively; AB was 78% at T1 and 70% at T2. At both times pain intensity was moderate, there was absence of anxiety and depression, and QoL was regular. At T2, the frequency of subjects with masseter pain decreased 28%, domains physical, psychological and QoL mean worsened (p<0.05). The other variables showed no difference between times (p>0.05). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of rigid occlusal splints contributed to pain control in masseter muscle; anxiety and depression were absent, QoL worsened, and AB frequency remained high.