ArticleBMC oral health2026
Localization of pain in patients with probable bruxism: a cross-sectional pain-drawing and heat-map analysis.
Article in BMC oral health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
purposeThe heat-map method is a useful tool for spatially assessing pain distribution. This study aimed to determine pain distribution in patients with probable bruxism using heat maps generated from pain drawings and to examine the relationship between pain intensity, pain localization, and sociodemographic and behavioral factors.
methodA total of 200 patients with probable bruxism (123 females, 77 males; age range: 18-70 years; mean age: 34.9 ± 12.6 years) were included. Probable bruxism was defined based on positive self-report and clinical evidence of non-functional dental wear/attrition. The study data were obtained from patients who attended our clinic between 2024 and 2025. Sociodemographic and behavioral data, including age, sex, systemic disease, education, occupation, marital status, sleep pattern, smoking, and alcohol use, were recorded. Templates depicting seven anatomical regions, including the intraoral region, right/left and anterior/posterior head-neck regions, and anterior/posterior upper extremities, were used. Patients colored the areas where they perceived pain. The frequency of marked boxes was calculated and used to generate heat maps. Pain intensity was evaluated using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
resultsPain was most frequently localized to the right (n = 700) and left (n = 610) head-neck regions, whereas the intraoral region showed the lowest frequency (n = 143). NRS scores were significantly higher in females (p = 0.002) and in patients with self-reported irregular sleep patterns (p < 0.001). No significant associations were found between NRS scores and alcohol use, smoking, education, occupation, marital status, systemic disease, or age (p > 0.05).
conclusionsIn patients with probable bruxism, pain was predominantly localized to the head-neck region. Female sex and self-reported irregular sleep patterns were associated with higher perceived pain intensity.
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