Objectives: A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the association between possible sleep bruxism (SB) and awake bruxism (AB) with sleep characteristics and chronotype (i.e. circadian cycle preference).
Methods: One-hundred-nineteen young adults filled out a self-reported questionnaire to assess SB and AB, a questionnaire about daily life aspects, as well as the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) to profile chronotype.
Results: The frequency of self-reported SB and AB was 25.2% and 37.0%, respectively. Both SB and AB were significantly more frequent in females than males. Most participants had an intermediate chronotype profile (n = 85; 71.4%). Neither SB (p = 0.556) nor AB (p = 0.334) were associated with chronotype. Nightmares were more prevalent among individuals with possible SB (38.3%). Difficulty concentrating in daily activities was more frequently reported among individuals with AB (51.9%).
Conclusion: There was no association between possible SB and AB or the chronotype profiles among Italian dental students.
Keywords: Behavior; bruxism; chronotype; circadian cycle; sleep disorder; students.