Amy's Class Notes
on Epilepsy and Oral Characteristics (1999)
I don't know if these will
help you out but just in case, I added them onto the site. These are just
notes that I took in class in different formats.
Epilepsy--
dysfunction or disorder of central nervous system. Can have seizures.
Seizures -- type of convulsive disorder.
Causes:
-
genetic
-
brain tumor
-
head trauma
-
prenatal
2 basic types of
seizures:
- partial -- localized part of
the brain
- simple
- complex
- generalized -- effects entire brain
- generalized absence
- generalized tonic-clonic
3 top medications:
- phenytonin / dilatin ***
- valproic acid (increased
bleeding)
- phenobarbital
Causes of seizures:
- stress
- apprehension
- fatigue
- flashing lights
- noises
- odors
- alcohol use (withdrawal)
Oral
characteristics:
-
scars of lips and
tongue -- from biting
-
fractured teeth -- from biting
falling
-
gingival overgrowth
- due to medication
- dilantin-induced hyperplasia
- can be exaserbated by plaque and calculus
- fibrotic, pink
- mulberry or cauliflower appearance
- cleft-like grooves between papilla
- may wedge teeth apart (when severe)
- papillary and marginal gingiva can be affected
Dental Treatment:
- scaling important
- take dentures out
- plaque control
- need thorough med. hx.
- no premed
- ask what meds taking
- drugs -- may be drowsy
Treatment modifications:
- plaque control
- scaling
- shorter recall intervals
- preventive treatment
Oral conditions:
- Disease does not cause
conditions, due to medication
- home-care very important
- consult MD if on valproic
acid due to bleeding.
Emergency Tx:
- stop tx.
- call for medical assistance
- lower chair as close to the
floor, lay back as far as possible (supine)
- push aside equipment
- loosen any tight clothing
- do not force anything in
mouth
- establish airway, monitor
vital signs
- be very reassuring
- check oral cavity for trauma