Objective:

To evaluate the signs and symptoms described in the literature as potential triggers or consequences of bruxism and their prevalence in 5th-year students of the Integrated Masters in Dental Medicine of the Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (IUCS-CESPU). To know whether age, gender, antidepressant medication, difficulty sleeping at night, and psychological disorders are factors associated with bruxism and ascertain whether bruxism is associated with dental sensitivity, temporomandibular disorders, abfraction lesions, and tooth wear.

Methods:

211 students were invited to complete a questionnaire about the signs and symptoms mentioned above. Psychological disturbance and isolated signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders were evaluated using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 and Anamnésico de Fonseca’s questionnaire, respectively. Clinically, abfraction lesions and tooth wear were recorded according to Smith and Knight Tooth Wear Index. Students who exhibited occlusal wear in the premolars were considered probable bruxers.

Results:

In these students, the prevalence rate of probable bruxism was 57.1%, and the associated factors were being over 28 years old, having abfraction lesions, and having incisal/occlusal wear ≥1 according to Smith and Knight Tooth Wear Index.

Conclusions:

Being older than 28 years old, abfraction lesions and incisal/occlusal wear ≥1 were considered factors associated with bruxism. Bruxism was considered a risk factor for abfraction lesions and incisal/occlusal ≥1.

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