Bruxism, defined as the parafunctional activity of the masticatory muscles, manifests mainly through involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth. It can occur during the day or at night and affect patients of all ages. Long considered a mere tic or a consequence of stress, it is now recognized as a complex, multifactorial disorder involving neurological, psychological, occlusal, and behavioral components.
In this context, a question frequently arises during consultation : can bruxism disappear spontaneously or be permanently cured ? The answer, although encouraging, deserves nuance. Bruxism may lessen, regress, or even disappear in certain cases, but this largely depends on its origin, its chronicity, and the quality of overall management.
Not all bruxism patients develop a lasting form of the condition. It is therefore essential to distinguish transient bruxism, often linked to an identifiable triggering factor (acute stress, medication withdrawal, sleep disturbance), from chronic bruxism, rooted in a repeated and sometimes unconscious neuromuscular response.
The former can indeed disappear spontaneously when the triggering element is removed. For example, a period of intense professional stress or an episode of anxiety disorder can cause a temporary phase of nocturnal bruxism. If this cause is identified and treated (rest, psychotherapy, targeted medication), the teeth grinding may completely stop, sometimes without medical intervention.
Conversely, in the case of chronic bruxism — particularly when it has been present for several years or is accompanied by anatomical signs such as dental wear — spontaneous disappearance is much rarer. The condition then tends to sustain itself through the repetition of involuntary muscle contractions, even in the absence of an immediate triggering factor.
Some forms of bruxism are more likely to regress than others. Secondary bruxism — that is, bruxism linked to an identifiable and reversible cause — has a good prognosis. This may include, for example :
In these cases, once the underlying cause is treated or corrected, bruxism episodes may cease — sometimes completely. Likewise, in children or adolescents, bruxism may occur as part of neurological development or dental eruptions and disappear spontaneously in adulthood, without aftereffects. However, clinical monitoring always remains necessary.
Although it is difficult to permanently eliminate chronic bruxism without addressing its specific cause, certain treatments can achieve lasting remission or even complete disappearance of symptoms in a significant number of patients.
Among the most effective approaches :
Thus, while the disappearance of bruxism cannot be guaranteed for all patients, a coherent and personalized therapeutic approach can promote a significant reduction in episodes or even, in some cases, a lasting elimination of symptoms.
The term ‘healing’ should be used with caution in the case of bruxism, as there is no biological criterion or reference test that can objectively confirm the end of the disorder. However, the prolonged absence of symptoms, pain, dental wear, or muscle contractions may be interpreted as clinical remission.
In some patients, especially those who have received combined management (occlusal, psychological, and pharmacological), complete cessation phases of bruxism lasting several years have been observed. Nevertheless, recurrence remains possible in cases of major stress or life changes. It is therefore preferable to speak of prolonged remission or resolved bruxism rather than definitive healing.
While the disappearance of bruxism cannot be guaranteed in all cases, prevention plays an essential role in the progression of the disorder. Informing the patient about aggravating factors (chronic stress, excessive caffeine intake, chewing-gum use, harmful mandibular positions) helps reduce the intensity and frequency of episodes.
Behavioral education is also crucial in awake bruxism, where the patient can learn to identify involuntary muscular automatisms and consciously correct them. These approaches, although lengthy, can lead to the lasting disappearance of awake bruxism.
It is possible to assess the likelihood of bruxism disappearing according to the patient’s profile. Experienced physicians can identify forms of bruxism likely to regress. For example, recent, sudden-onset bruxism in a young patient without a history of joint pain or dental wear has a better prognosis for disappearance than chronic bruxism established for several years with muscular or occlusal involvement.
Likewise, the presence of reversible factors increases the likelihood of resolution : temporary occupational stress, anxiety disorder under treatment, poor sleep hygiene, or a known medication side effect. Conversely, idiopathic, stable, and long-standing bruxism is more difficult to eliminate.
Recent neuroscience research has shown that bruxism, particularly nocturnal bruxism, is associated with hyperactivation of the dopaminergic system and micro-arousals during sleep. This abnormal neurological activity is often transient but can become embedded in procedural memory when it is repeated.
Certain therapies, such as mindfulness, mild neuromodulation, or the improvement of circadian rhythms, can partially reprogram involuntary neuronal activity, thereby reducing or even eliminating bruxism. These approaches suggest that the brain, through its plasticity, can “unlearn” the bruxism reflex when the neurobiological environment is durably modified.
A patient who stops grinding their teeth may relapse. The disappearance of the disorder does not guarantee the absence of recurrence, especially if the conditions that initially favored bruxism reappear. This is why regular follow-up and patient awareness are essential, even in cases of total remission.
Relapses generally occur during periods of acute stress, lifestyle changes, or uncontrolled sleep disorders. Hence the importance of maintaining certain lifestyle measures (night splint, stress management, resting mandibular posture) even when symptoms have disappeared. This vigilance helps preserve the results achieved and prevent relapse.
In some cases, bruxism ceases spontaneously without causing pain or functional discomfort. However, anatomical aftereffects may persist : dental wear, premature contacts, or hypertrophy of the masseters. Even in the absence of active symptoms, it remains relevant to perform a complete occlusal and muscular assessment to evaluate the risk of recurrence or long-term complications.
In these patients, preventive treatment — such as a splint, postural follow-up, or behavioral advice — can help prevent the reappearance of the disorder, even when it is no longer evident. It is therefore justified to manage the bruxism-prone condition, even when bruxism appears to have disappeared.
Article written by Dr Romano Valeria
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