Keywords: bruxism, clenching, grinding, antidepressants, tmj, tmd, headaches
Ephraim Winocur, DMD, Anat Gavish, DMD, Michal Voikovitch, MSc, Alona Emodi-Perlman, DMD, Ilana Eli, DMD
Aims: Bruxism associated with drugs can be destructive, resulting in severe consequences to health that include destruction of tooth structure, irreversible harm to the temporomandibular joint, severe myofascial pain, and muscle contraction headache. However, reports concerning a possible association between bruxism and various pharmacologic drugs are scarce and mostly anecdotal. The purpose of this article was to review the existing literature concerning the exacerbating or ameliorating effect of drugs on bruxism in humans.
Methods: A search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsicINFO databases from 1982 to 2001 was conducted, and the term bruxism and one of the following terms were used: drugs, medicine(s), pharmaceutical, movement disorders, akathisia, dyskinesia, dystonia, central or autonomic nervous system, dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. Furthermore, a search using the term bruxism was carried out on the weekly journal Reactions, which deals with side effects of drugs. Several chemical terms were searched separately (eg, caffeine, nicotine). Relevant information was also derived from reference lists of the retrieved publications.
Results: The search yielded complex information referring to the association between bruxism and dopaminerelated drugs, antidepressant drugs, sedative and anxiolytic drugs, and drugs of abuse.
Conclusion: There is insufficient evidencebased data to draw definite conclusions concerning the effects of various drugs on bruxism. Although certain substances related to the dopaminergic, serotonergic, and adrenergic systems suppress or exacerbate bruxist activity in humans and animals, the literature is still controversial, and based mostly on anecdotal case reports. More controlled, evidence-based research on this underexplored subject is needed. J OROFAC PAIN 2003;17:99–111.
Summary: Bruxism or clenching/grinding has been associated with the use of antidepressant drugs. If you are suffering from TMJ/TMD or headaches associated with bruxism and are taking an antidepressant, Dr. Stan Farrell can work with you to alleviate your symptoms while managing the effects of your medication. Dr. Farrell is Board Certified in Orofacial pain and has extensive training in medication management. Contact Dr. Farrell to find out more about his state of the art treatments proven to assist in alleviating Orofacial Pain and headaches associated with this pain at 480-945-3629. www.headpaininstitute.com
