OstiSense Biosensor in Bruxism Reduction - A Clinical Study

Pilot Study:

30 subjects will be recruited for this pilot study. An oral exam will be performed to check for gingiva and tooth conditions as well as fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria as described below. Subjects will be randomly assigned to an active treatment or a control group. OstiSense biosensor feed back tool (night guards) will be delivered to the participant. First patient impressions about wearing comfort will be evaluated, chair side. Then the investigators will test the efficiency of the OstiSense biosensor feedback tool in reduction of numbers of bruxism episodes and reduction of the duration of bruxism episodes (primary outcome). These data will be collected also in order to achieve information for a sample size calculation for a larger subsequent clinical trial. The investigators will collect information about self-reported (or reported by sleeping partners in SB) reduced frequency of bruxism episodes. In addition, self-reported reduction in pain (facial pain, myofascial headache) (secondary outcome) is of interest. Visual pain scales and pain questionnaires will be used as validated instruments for subjective pain assessment.

Active Treatment Group:

Participants will be instructed to wear the biofeedback tool during the night/sleep. They will wear the biofeedback tool for 1 week with biofeedback turned off to record baseline activity. At the 1-week recall, the investigators will check for any comfort issues and will confirm accurate data recording. For 3 more weeks the biofeedback will stay turned off to collect further baseline data.

At the next recall (4-week recall) participants will be interviewed about any wear issues and will be asked to fill out the same questionnaire as used in phase 1 of the pilot study. The biofeedback mechanism will then be turned on (battery insertion). During this meeting subjects will be instructed to test the vibration mechanism by increasing their bite force until vibration occurs, and then to relax their muscles so that vibration stops. Subjects will be asked to repeat this procedure several times to get familiar with the active device and also to learn to relax their muscles when the feedback occurs during night bruxism..

Participants will wear the tool with biofeedback turned on during the night/sleep for 8 more weeks. They will be asked to return for a check after the first week (5-week recall) of the 8 weeks to identify any wear issues while the tool is turned on, and for checking the data recording function. At the end of 8 weeks, participants will be invited for a final recall visit 12-week recall). The same questionnaire will be provided, and feedback questions will be asked. All data about bruxism episodes will be collected from the smart device.

Control Group:

Participants in the control group will be treated, asked for feedback and receive questionnaires identical to the subjects in the active treatment group. The only difference will be that the biofeedback mechanism in the biofeedback night guard tool will always stay turned off. At the 1-week recall the investigators will check for any comfort issues and will confirm accurate data recording. After three weeks the investigators will again check on the participant, will identify any wear issues, ask for feedback and will check the data recording function (4-week recall). At the end of additional 8 weeks participants will be invited for a final recall visit (12-week recall). The questionnaire will be provided, and feedback questions will be asked. Data from the smart device about bruxism episodes will be collected.