Abstract
In elderly patients who are treated with neuroleptics, antidepressants or other antipsychotic drugs, the occurrence of Parkinsonism has been observed as the sideeffect. The Parkinsonism occurrence mechanism has been clarified by mean of researches based on the study of the dopamine receptor (subtype) and the dopaminergic function. However, until now it is unclear why long-term damage of the dopamine neurotransmitter induces tardive dyskinesia.
Oral dyskinesia (OD), an oral motor disorder mainly characterized by involuntary movements of the lips, tongue and jaws, which seem like masticatory movements, has a great importance for dental practicioners. Sore dentures, impairment of the masticatory function, speech disorders and difficulty in making new dentures are some of the consequences related to oral dyskinesia. Gradual or complete interruption of medication or changes in the prescription have been made in order to partially improve the symptoms. Furthermore, adjustments to maladapted dentures and making new dentures have been reported to help in the reduction or elimination of symptoms. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to make clear the relation that exits between the occurrence of OD and the examination findings including the occlusal condition. To achieve this, 151 elderly patients were investigated. From the total population of 151 patients, 38 were drug treatment patients. Moreover, 15 out of these 38 patients presented oral dyskinesia. The results of the present study suggested that in the 38 drug treatment patients investigated, there were no relations between the oral dyskinesia occurrence and age, gender and ADL. However, a relation between OD occurrence and the occlusal condition was observed (p<0.0005).
