Evaluation of the relationship between bruxism and/or temporomandibular disorders and stress, anxiety, depression in adults: A systematic review and qualitative analysis

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to map and systematically review the available evidence regarding the relationship between bruxism and/or temporomandibular disorders, psychological factors (stress, anxiety, depression) in adults.

Material and method: A systematic review has been conducted following the criteria described in Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020). A systematic search was performed in the Web of Science database with the last search updated as of November 2024. Observational studies in adults in which bruxism is assessed by questionnaires or clinical examination were included in the search. 10 of the 92 articles met the inclusion and exclusion requirements and were subject to a qualitative analysis.

Results: There seems to be an association between bruxism, temporomandibular disorders and psychological factors. Clenching and grinding may be associated with overload of the chewing structures and give rise to symptoms typical of temporomandibular disorders, all under the probable influence of psychological factors.

Conclusions: Bruxism, associated with psychological factors, leads to the appearance of symptoms typical of temporomandibular disorders. More research is needed to understand how the factors interact.

Clinical significance: Clinicians should be aware of the psychological factors associated with bruxism and the relationship with temporomandibular disorders.

Keywords: Anxiety; Bruxism; Depression; Stress; Systematic review; Temporomandibular disorders.