Personality characteristics of chronic bruxers.

One hundred twelve adults randomly selected from a periodontal practice participated in research to determine whether the personality traits of people who chronically brux (grind their teeth) diverge significantly from the personality traits of those who do not do so. All participants completed a personality questionnaire and were examined by the periodontist, who determined which were chronic bruxers. Twenty-eight of the men and 46 of the women were diagnosed as bruxers. Their personality trait scores differed significantly from those of the nonbruxers. In general, and regardless of gender, chronic bruxers were found to be shy, stiff, cautious, and aloof, preferring things rather than people, avoiding compromises, rigid in their ways, affected by feelings of inferiority, impeded in expressing themselves, apprehensive, and given to worrying.