Propositions for a cognitive behavioral approach to bruxism management

In dentistry bruxism patients are common during routine daily practice and their situation is difficult to manage. The excessive forms are particularly challenging because severe bruxism leads to major mechanical risks to the survival of dental elements especially artificial crowns or roots. In this case it is probably interesting, perhaps necessary, to try to establish a management procedure to reduce these phenomena. Parafunctional awareness and cognitive behavioral therapy represent a non-invasive and potentially simple approach.

At present the classical therapeutic options pills or splint are deceiving. The aim of this article is to propose to optimize a cognitive behavioral approach for bruxism management. Cognitive behavioral therapy could be beneficial as a simple and effective method when the precise steps of an established protocol are followed: diagnosis, building trust, self-management of stress, awareness of awake bruxism and reprogramming of the automatisms of mandibular resting posture and swallowing. By definition a dentist is a behavioral clinician dedicated to oral dysfunctions related to oral hygiene as well as bruxism. A cognitive behavioral approach is probably a necessary step in a management plan for severe forms. The proposed approach could be tested using a research protocol.