Bruxism and psychobiological model of personality

Bruxism is an abnormal activity of the masticatory system, caused by both p sychological and occlusal factors. The aim of the study was to determine th e possible correlation. between the temperament and character of patients a nd bruxism. Personality profile of 35 bruxism patients, with no history of psychiatric disorder, was studied by means of Cloninger's seven factor mode l of temperament and character. For diagnosis of bruxism, muscle activity w as analysed and occlusal interferences and facets were registered by clinic al functional analysis. Temperament and Character Inventory assesses four d imensions of temperament and three dimensions of character. Results suggest that bruxism patients can have following personality traits: exploratory, impulsive, extravagant and irritable, pessimistic, fearful, shy and fatigab le, critical, aloof, detached and independent, lazy, spoiled, underachiever and pragmatist. Combined scores of character dimension indicate immature d imensions of character. Inventory is not standardized for the Croatian popu lation, therefore the result should be taken, with caution.