INTRODUCTION: Sleep bruxism (SB) is defined as a stereotyped and periodic movement disorder, characterized by tooth grinding and/or clenching occurring during sleep, associated with rhythmic masticatory muscle activity. This condition isn't a disease, but when exacerbated may cause an unbalance and changing of orofacial structures. Thus, it is necessary to obtain effective and safe treatments for the control and management of the bruxist patient. The treatment alternatives ranges from oral devices to pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral techniques. OBJECTIVES: This study, through a systematic literature review, having as research bases MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, Pubmed, Lilacs and BBO, between the years of 1990 and 2008, with focus in randomized and quasi-randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analysis, had as objective to analyze and discuss possibilities of treatment for sleep bruxism. RESULTS: According to the analysis of literature there are a lot of treatment options for the SB, but many of the therapies have no scientific support. Thus, the chosen therapy should be based on scientific evidences and in clinical common sense, to an improvement in quality of life of the bruxist patient.
Sleep bruxism; Treatment; Oral devices; Drugs; Behavior
