Signs of bruxism and temporomandibular disorders among psychiatric patients.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of bruxism and signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) among psychiatric patients compared with a healthy population and to assess the effect of psychiatric medications on the parameters studied.

Study Design: Subjects included 77 psychiatric patients under treatment at 2 psychiatric hospitals in Israel and 50 healthy individuals (control). One experienced calibrated examiner performed the clinical examination (presence of bruxism and signs of TMD).

Results: Abnormal attrition was evident in 46.8% of the psychiatric patients compared with 20% in the controls (P < .005). Significant differences between groups were apparent for mean muscle sensitivity to palpation, joint sensitivity to palpation, and range of mouth opening. There were no differences between groups in the prevalence of joint clicks and no association between time of receiving treatment with dopamine antagonists (or any other psychotropic drugs) and TMD signs and symptoms.

Conclusion: The higher prevalence of bruxism and signs of TMD in psychiatric patients is a major clinical comorbidity. Whether it is a manifestation of the abnormal central nervous system of psychiatric patients or neuroleptic-induced phenomenon deserves further attention. The exact factors that affect the pain experience in these patients should be evaluated as well.