Title	The Most Frequent Dental Therapies Used to Treat Bruxism by General Dentist are More Conservative Than Dental Specialists in The Management of Bruxism
Clinical Question	Are General Dentists' therapies for the management of bruxism more conservation compared to those used by Dental Specialists?
Clinical Bottom Line	General Dentists tend to manage bruxism predominantly by conservative and reversible therapies. Specialists tend to be less conservative and use irreversible forms of therapy.
Best Evidence
PubMed ID Author / Year Patient Group Study type (level of evidence) 21356412 Ommerborn/2011 939 German Dentists- 811 General and 128 Specialists Survey of Dentists Key results This study was to determine the most commonly applied therapies used for the management of bruxism by German General Dentists and Dental Specialists. A 13 item questionnaire was developed and mailed to 10,484 German dentists. Occlusal splints were by far the most frequently prescribed, followed by relaxation techniques, occlusal equilibration, physiotherapy, prosthodontics reconstruction and orthodontics. 52.3% of specialists used occlusal splints compared to 73.1% of the general dentists (P=.001). 9.2% of the specialists performed occlusal equilibration compared to 7.2% of general dentists (P=.003). 5.5% of the specialists utilized prosthodontics reconstruction compared to 4.0% of general dentists (P=.004). 7.2% of the specialist opted for orthodontics compared to 0.65 of general dentist (P=.001). Most practicing dentist respondents concur with current scientific recommendations, and express the opinion that the management of bruxism should be predominantly conservative and reversible. However, the findings in this study reveal diverse differences between general dentists and dental specialists concerning the most frequently prescribed therapies.
Evidence Search	The following search strategy used in PubMed: Bruxism, Therapies, Management
Comments on The Evidence	This study represented the full spectrum of dental practices- general dentists as well as dental specialists. The criteria for the conclusions were explicit and credible. The diagnostic work-up was comprehensive and consistently applied. The study did not include a follow up. There were no competing interests.
Applicability	The participating dentists were representative of the profession (general dentists as well as specialists). The selection of bruxism therapies is feasible in the dental operatory. Most practicing dentists seem to concur with current scientific recommendations and express the opinion that the management of bruxism should predominantly be conservative and reversible. It should be noted that a combination of therapies can be utilized.
Specialty	(Endodontics) (General Dentistry) (Orthodontics) (Pediatric Dentistry) (Periodontics) (Prosthodontics) (Restorative Dentistry) (Dental Hygiene)
Keywords	Bruxism, Management, Therapies
ID#	2489
Date of submission	05/29/2013
E-mail	ronald.brown@ucdenver.edu
Author	Ronald N. Brown, DDS
Co-author(s)
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Faculty mentor
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Basic Science Rationale (Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?) None available
Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT (FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs) None available