A CASE OF SLEEP APNOEA PRESENTING AS SLEEP BRUXISM SHOWING EARLY SIGNS OF METABOLIC SYNDROME - A CASE REPORT

Aim and background: This case report describes presentation of a case of sleep bruxism in which the underlying pathology was discovered to be sleep apnoea. Teeth grinding is usually treated by dental appliance, but in this case the appliance had no effect. Case description: The pathophysiology of sleep bruxism was found to be sleep apnoea. Judicious history taking and integrative approach to find out the etiology, resulted in formulating a diagnosis of generalized muscle weakness, recent weight gain and sedentary lifestyle. The lipid profile presented a picture of cardiovascular risk and indicated metabolic syndrome risk factors. Advice for weight loss and exercise therapy was given for which patient compliance was excellent. Both sleep bruxism and sleep apnoea showed improvement and muscle weakness and cardiovascular risk decreased. Hence, serious complications of sleep apnoea were avoided. Conclusion: Dental diseases like sleep bruxism may indicate serious systemic problems and must be investigated thoroughly. Clinical significance: This case report is aimed at heightening awareness of both physicians and dental surgeons to early onset of metabolic syndrome and/or sleep apnoea which may present as dental disease.