Background & Aims

Despite the recognized interplay between bruxism and temporomandibular disorders, a systematic exploration of their academic discourse remains limited. By analyzing the evolution, trends, and gaps in published research, this study seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of how the scientific community perceives and addresses the correlation between bruxism, in its various forms, and TMD, particularly its painful manifestations. The goal is to elucidate the depth and breadth of existing research, thereby informing future studies and clinical approaches in this vital area of dental and orofacial health.

Methods

Employing a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, we systematically reviewed literature from the Web of Science Core Collection. The analysis included articles from 1992 to 2023, utilizing advanced tools like Biblioshiny and VOSviewer for data visualization. Key parameters like publication year, citations, and authorship were considered. Special attention was given to authors-keywords co-occurrence and semantic mapping to decipher the conceptual framework of the study field.

Results

Our analysis included 291 studies published between 1992 and 2023 across 120 different sources, witnessing an average annual increase rate in publications of 11.94%. These articles involved 1,047 authors, with 21.65% international co-authorship, and an average of 4.74 co-authors per document. On average, articles were 9.26 years old with 21.22 citations each. A significant rise in annual scientific production was noted post-2012. “Journal of Oral Rehabilitation” emerged as the most significant journal, accounting for 15.8% of the publications. The authors hailed from 40 different countries, with Brazil, Turkey, and the United States being the top contributors. Analysis of bruxism types – sleep and awake – revealed stronger connections in sleep bruxism, with awake bruxism gaining focus post-2020. Thematic evolution, analyzed through different periods, showed an initial focus on muscular activity shifting towards mental health issues like anxiety and depression in recent years.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the complexity and multidisciplinary nature of research on bruxism and TMD. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the academic landscape, highlighting the need for more focused research on awake bruxism and the psychological dimensions of these conditions. The evolving nature of research themes suggests a paradigm shift towards a more holistic understanding of bruxism and TMD.

References

Lobbezoo, F., Ahlberg, J., Raphael, K. G., Wetselaar, P., Glaros, A. G., Kato, T., … & Manfredini, D. (2018). International consensus on the assessment of bruxism: Report of a work in progress. Journal of oral rehabilitation, 45(11), 837-844.
Ohlmann, B., Waldecker, M., Leckel, M., Bömicke, W., Behnisch, R., Rammelsberg, P., & Schmitter, M. (2020). Correlations between sleep bruxism and temporomandibular disorders. Journal of clinical medicine, 9(2), 611.
Storari, M., Aprile, M., Mameli, S., Denotti, G., & Viscuso, D. (2022). Long-term efficacy of onabotulinum toxin in treating persistent myofascial pain and masticatory muscles hypertone in an adolescent with bruxism. A 7-year follow-up case report. European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 23(4), 291-294.
Zhong, J., Gao, X., Hu, S., Yue, Y., Liu, Y., & Xiong, X. (2024). A worldwide bibliometric analysis of the research trends and hotspots of bruxism in adults during 1991–2021. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 51(1), 5-14.

Presenting Author

Debora Emy Miyazaki Lopes

Poster Authors

Debora Lopes

MSc

Instituto de ensino odontológico (IEO)

Lead Author

Caroline Lorenzetti

Instituto de ensino odontológico (IEO)

Lead Author

Dayana Elias

Instituto de Ensino Odontológico (IEO)

Lead Author

Rafaela Salbego

Universidade de São Paulo

Lead Author

Paulo Conti

University of São Paulo

Lead Author

Juliana Stuginski-Barbosa

Bauru Orofacial Pain Group

Lead Author

Topics

  • Specific Pain Conditions/Pain in Specific Populations: Muscle and Myofascial pain