Long-term follow-up of a patient with venlafaxine-induced diurnal bruxism treated with an occlusal splint: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND Bruxism is a jaw-muscle activity characterized by the clenching or grinding of teeth. It can be divided into nocturnal bruxism and diurnal bruxism (DB). DB secondary to antidepressants is rare and refractory. Reports associated with antidepressant-induced DB are mostly anecdotal without long-term follow-up. The effect of drug intervention on antidepressant-induced DB is still contested. We herein report the first case of successful treatment of venlafaxine-induced DB with an occlusal splint. CASE SUMMARY This case report describes detailed 7-year follow-up of a patient with venlafaxine-induced DB treated with an occlusal splint. The patient who complained about involuntary daytime tooth grinding after taking venlafaxine for a period of 4 mo and was diagnosed with venlafaxine-induced DB. Subsequently, an occlusal splint with modified bilateral buccal-pterygoid pads was used to treat his tooth grinding and to protect the dental structures from tooth wearing. The patient reported remission of symptoms after several months of treatment. His grinding activity was gradually and stably controlled after 2 years, with an almost complete recovery from DB after 6 years. CONCLUSION The maxillary buccal-pterygoid splint can be used as a noninvasive approach to treat venlafaxine-induced DB.

Medications and addictive substances potentially inducing or attenuating sleep bruxism and/or awake bruxism

“…Subsequently, he developed awake bruxism. The authors’ clinical impression was that the patient's awake bruxism was secondary to venlafaxine use 27 …”

Oral Appliance as a Sensory Trick to Manage Tardive Dyskinesia of Tongue: A Case Report

“…The exact mechanisms of adverse medical reactions that cause TD are not well defined. Several hypotheses are suggestive of abnormalities in dopaminergic, gamma-aminobutyric acid-releasing (GABAergic), cholinergic pathways leading to excessive movements [1][2][3]. General treatment strategies are medication, botulinum toxin injection and surgical intervention, but their effects are controversial.…”