Secondary prevention

Bruxism prevention should be viewed as secondary (i.e., prevention of its negative clinical consequences) or tertiary (i.e., reduction of the negative impact of clinical consequences).

From a dental perspective, it is important to emphasize that occlusal therapies (restorations, equilibration and any irreversible occlusal changes) are not recommended as a prevention strategy for management of bruxism.[19] In addition, they should be considered sources of unnecessary over-treatment, and the ethical concerns associated with such procedures should be always borne in mind.[130][131]

Negative consequences of bruxism, such as severe tooth wear, fracture of dental restorations, or dental implant complications, may be prevented with the use of of oral appliances such as occlusal splints.[99]

Future studies on prevention strategies may benefit from the inclusion of cognitive behavioral re-education approaches, based on the emerging consensus of bruxism as a behavior that mirrors underlying conditions.[47][132]

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