Effect of interocclusal appliance on bite force, sleep quality, salivary cortisol levels and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction in adults with sleep bruxism

Highlights • A longitudinal study with sufficient sample size evaluated adults with sleep bruxism. • Adults diagnosed by polysomnography were referred to interocclusal appliance therapy. • A positive effect on bite force, TMD symptomatology and sleep quality was observed. • Salivary cortisol levels decreased after short-term interocclusal appliance therapy. • Moderate effect size and strong test power were found, denoting the results’ strength.