Nocturnal bruxism and its clinical management.

Most individuals, both adults and children, engage in nocturnal bruxist activity at some point in their lives and to varying degrees. The tissues of the masticatory system will generally adapt to this behavior; however, in some individuals the capacity for adaption will be exceeded by the cumulative forces of this mandibular parafunctional behavior, resulting in pain and dysfunction of the masticatory system. This article discusses the history, nature, causes, and effects of bruxism as well as the diagnosis and therapy.