Volume 30, Issue 174, August 2026

Digital Revolution in Bruxism Diagnosis: From Traditional Clinical Assessment to Wearables and Artificial Intelligence: A Literature Review

Stanisław Janczarski^1♦, Amelia Sobanek¹, Erwin Górski¹, Jakub Deptuch¹, Filip Szewczyk¹, Aleksandra Pietrzyk²

¹Institute of Dentistry of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, Pomorska 251, 92-213 Łódź, Poland
²Centralna Wojskowa Przychodnia Lekarska CePeLek SPZOZ, 78 Koszykowa Street, 00-911 Warszawa, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Stanisław Janczarski, Institute of Dentistry of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, Pomorska 251, 92-213 Łódź, Poland

ABSTRACT

There is some evidence that contemporary digital technology and wearable sensor systems could be used for the objective evaluation of masticatory muscle functions in people with bruxism. In recent years, dentists have started applying wearables, smart splints, and artificial intelligence (AI) for better diagnostics. This work seeks to establish a distinction between those diagnoses that can be applied to ensure the predictability of results while applying digital bruxism monitors and the unfavorable diagnoses. This work seeks to conduct a review of existing literature to evaluate the use of modern diagnostics in practice. It was revealed that wearable EMG monitors and ear sensors can be used for ambulatory diagnosis with a high level of accuracy in comparison with PSG in the laboratory. With machine learning modifications, it is now possible to separate bruxism events from physiological oral behaviors. In many cases, high equipment costs, data privacy concerns, and signal noise are obstacles for digital procedures. There is an element of unpredictability regarding the long-term use of such technologies by the patients using these apps and gadgets. There is some research that suggests that there may be a risk of gadget fatigue. Utilizing digital technologies in the diagnosis of bruxism is a dependable method of diagnosis under specific circumstances. Digital dentistry is a relatively new technology, and any development in this area should be monitored by all practitioners concerned. Although new technologies have already demonstrated themselves, there is still a need for further research before their widespread application.

Keywords: bruxism; sleep bruxism; awake bruxism; wearable devices; artificial intelligence; electromyography

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e150ms3946

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Published: 16 August 2026