The Lion's Pride Volume 10 (Spring 2018) | Page 63

physical assessment tools such as a “masticatory muscle
electromyographic” and overnight polysomnography - in layman’s terms
a laboratory driven sleep study – to help diagnose bruxism (p. 132).
Electromyographic includes a thin sheet of paper which is infused with a
pressure sensing technology (Todić et al., 2017, p. 140). The electrodes
within the paper sense occlusal biting force along with occlusal contacts
of each individual tooth, providing pressure points. From these readings,
Todić et al. (2017) discovered information which allowed correlations
between maximum bite forces and events of bruxism. Todić et al. (2017)
expressed polysomnographic recordings as the “[golden] standard
diagnostic method” in retrieving quality research from specialized
laboratory recordings from bruxism patients (p. 143).
Polysomnographic recordings are performed in a sleep laboratory
designed to detect sleep patterns and activities in a controlled
environment (Swaminathan et al., 2014, p. 132). Electrodes are applied
to the face, specifically on various mastication muscles, to help detect
maximum clenching episodes during the night (Kawakami et al., 2014,
p. 2). Patients above a threshold of 20% were diagnosed with sleep
bruxism and were informed of preventative measures for the disorder.
Although there has been no research to show a specific existing
treatment plan, there are many options that help manage the symptoms.
Such treatments include occlusal therapy, behavioral modifications, and
pharmaceutical managements. Occlusal therapies include interventions