Comparative evaluation of salivary melatonin levels in patients with bruxism: a case–control study

<b>Aim:</b> To examine whether there is any difference in the levels of salivary melatonin between bruxism and nonbruxism groups and to compare the stress and anxiety levels between the two groups.<b>Materials & methods:</b> Patients meeting the probable bruxism criteria according to the International Consensus on the Assessment of Bruxism Criteria were included in the bruxism group. The salivary melatonin concentrations of both groups were measured using an ELISA kit. To determine the relationship between stress and bruxism, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) test was used.<b>Results:</b> The bruxism group had a significantly lower night-time salivary melatonin level than the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). No significant difference was determined between the bruxism group and the control group in respect of the STAI-T scores (<i>p</i> > 0.05).<b>Conclusion:</b> The study findings revealed a strong relationship between a low melatonin level and bruxism.