Does bruxism affect periodontal sensation?

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Low periodontal sensation could sometimes be observed clinically in heavy bruxist. Although several studies have tried to quantitatively evaluate periodontal sensation, it had not yet been fully clarified especially in regard to the difference of response modality between intradental mechanoreceptors and periodontal ligament mechanoreceptors.This study aimed to 1) establish a reliable method for evaluating the threshold of periodontal sensation from periodontal ligament mechanoreceptors, 2) examine the properties of periodontal sensation in non-bruxers (fluctuation of the force threshold within a day, day-to-day fluctuation and the effect of transient mechanical loading and 3) compare the threshold in bruxer and non-bruxer.Low speed mechanical stimulator had silent force generator made of elastic foamed polymer and was capable of exerting the silent mechanical load with slow and steady increase to the target tooth. This stimulator, hence, could measure the force threshold derived from periodontal ligament mechanoreceptor.Eighteen non-bruxers with full natural dentition participated in examining the properties of periodontal sensation. Upper left lateral incisor of each volunteer was subjected. As regards fluctuation of the force threshold within a day and day-to-day fluctuation, no significant difference was observed. However significant increase of periodontal sensation was observed after a transient mechanical loading.Twenty volunteers with full natural dentition (10 non-bruxers, 10 bruxers) was subjected in comparing the periodontal sensation. Nocturnal bruxism was confirmed by electromyography. Subjective tooth was upper left lateral incisor of each volunteer. Occlusal facet was not observed in all subjected tooth. The threshold for periodontal ligament mechanoreceptors in bruxers was significantly higher than that in non-bruxers.