Bruxism and oral parafunctional hyperactivity in social phobia outpatients

• Published in: Journal of oral rehabilitation Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 90 - 97
• Main Authors: Hermesh, H., Schapir, L., Marom, S., Skopski, R., Barnea, E., Weizman, A., Winocur, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-Anxiety Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Anxiety Agents - adverse effects; Anxiety - complications; Anxiety - therapy; bruxism; Bruxism - etiology; Bruxism - psychology; Bruxism - therapy; clenching; Dentistry; depression; Depression - complications; Depression - therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Outpatients; Phobic Disorders - complications; Phobic Disorders - psychology; Phobic Disorders - therapy; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - adverse effects; social phobia; depression; bruxism; social phobia; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; clenching
• ISSN: 0305-182X; 1365-2842
• DOI: 10.1111/joor.12235

Summary Anxiety and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered aggravating factors for bruxism. We examined the influence of anxiety, depression and SSRI on bruxism in social phobia (SP). Twenty‐three drug naïve, 17 SSRI‐treated SP patients and 33 healthy controls underwent a psychiatric assessment and completed Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale and Beck Depression Inventory. Oral parafunctional activity (PF) was evaluated by TM‐dental examination and by a questionnaire. Drug‐ naïve and SSRI‐treated SP patients did not differ on demographic and clinical measures. Awake bruxism, ‘JAW PLAY’ and at least one PF were more prevalent in SP than in controls. Severity of SP predicted the presence of PF. SP, but not depression, was associated with higher risk of oral PF and awake bruxism. Chronic SSRI treatment of SP did not affect sleep and awake bruxism. Dental and anxiety screening may improve the prognosis psychiatric and dental patients. Effective treatment of SP may mitigate bruxism.