Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Bruxism and Sleep Quality

Investigation of the Effect of Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Bruxism and Sleep Quality

Bruxism and temporomandibular joint dysfunction are common conditions today. The applications in the treatment of these disorders are limited. When the literature is examined, it has been determined that cervical stabilization exercises, which are frequently applied in physical therapy clinics for neck problems, have not been applied to bruxism before. For this reason, in this study, we will examine the effects of cervical stabilization exercises targeting deep cervical muscles on bruxism.

Bruxism is the grinding or clenching of teeth, which is characterized by the fixed or forward movement of the mandible that occurs repeatedly during the day, including muscles such as the masseter and temporal muscles. Correct determination of the etiology plays a key role in the treatment of bruxism. There are many suggestions in the literature for the treatment of bruxism. The most preferred of these are: providing training for the person to quit harmful habits, physiotherapy applications for muscle relaxation, botox applications, drug treatments, giving the patient an occlusal splint, etc. Since bruxism is a functional problem of muscular origin, it is possible to talk about muscle-oriented exercise applications in its treatment. As a result of studies in which exercises are frequently prescribed for the chewing muscles and temporomandibular muscles, it has been determined that bruxism symptoms are relieved and functional gains are achieved. It has also been stated that muscle pain and activity, mouth opening, oral health, anxiety, stress, depression and head posture can be improved in individuals with bruxism with physiotherapy approaches. When the literature is examined; There are studies investigating the effects of physiotherapy applications in bruxism. In addition, although it is known that the neck region is affected in bruxism, causing the head to tilt forward and increased muscle activation in the neck region, no study has been found investigating the effects of specific cervical region stabilization exercises. This study was planned considering the effects of cervical stabilization exercises on correcting cervical posture and providing muscle activation balance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with full dentition including 2nd molars
• Patients without facial asymmetry

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with systemic and/or neuromuscular diseases
• Patients with orofacial pain not caused by bruxism
• History of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery or injection
• Use of any medical drugs affecting the muscular system
• Patients with developmental deformities or a history of surgery in the maxillofacial region (facial trauma history, resection history, etc.)
• TMJ pathologies (major condylar changes seen on panoramic radiographs)
• History of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
• Ongoing orthodontic treatment
• Use of removable prosthesis
• Inflammatory connective tissue diseases
• Pregnancy
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Local skin infection over the myofascial area
• Patients who have undergone root canal treatment
• Reluctance to take responsibility for the work