Oral Functions 2 - Senses

Question 1

What would the patient complain of if the inferior alveolar nerve was penetrated during an ID block?

Answer 1

That they felt the prick of the needle on their lip.

Question 2

What responses are activated in gagging?

Answer 2

Mostly mechanical - some chemical

Question 3

In the gaging reflex what nerves have an efferent motor response?

Answer 3

Hypoglossal
Glossopharyngeal
Vagus
Trigeminal
Accessory

Question 4

Apart from efferent motor nerve responses what other nerves are activated in gagging?

Answer 4

Secretory nerves from salivary glands

Question 5

What are methods to reduce gagging whilst taking impressions?

Answer 5

Distraction techniques
Breathing exercises through the nose - also distraction
Take upper impression from behind the patient
Use a fast setting mix
Tilt the chin down

Question 6

What is Bell’s Palsy?

Answer 6

Facial paralysis to 1 side of the face that doesn’t have any other associated causes.

Question 7

What are the symptoms of Bells Palsy?

Answer 7

Inability to;
wrinkle forehead
Blink
puff cheeks 
lift the corner of the mouth

Drooping eye and mouth

Question 8

What nerve does Bells Palsy affect?

Answer 8

The facial nerve

Question 9

List the branches of the facial nerve.

Answer 9

Temporal
Zygomatic 
Buccal
Mandibular
Cervical

Question 10

List the causes of Bells palsy.

Answer 10

Trauma
Toxins
Diabetes

Otitis media - inflammation of the middle ear can apply pressure to the facial nerve and cause facial paralysis.

Local Anaesthetic - needle placed too far distally, can inject into the parotid gland and cause temporary paralysis.

Infections - Herpes simplex

Question 11

How do you manage local anaesthetic induced Bells palsy?

Answer 11

Inform
Apologise
Reassure
Eye patch given until the blinking reflex returns

Question 12

What is the benefit of retaining roots of teeth which have been decoronated?

Answer 12

Mechanoreceptors of the PDL remain.

Question 13

What are the roles of mechanoreceptors in the PDL?

Answer 13

Mastication - control mandibular movements

Salivation

Interdental discrimination:
Determine food texture and particle size
Determine occlusal loading 
Determine high spots 
Gauge extent of mouth opening

Question 14

Apart from the PDL mechanoreceptors; what other receptors are involved in interdental discrimination?

Answer 14

Muscle receptors:
Such as;
Golgi tendon organs
Muscle spindles

Jaw receptors:
which;
Signal joint position
Signal joint movement

Question 15

What problems arise from implants?

Answer 15

Lack of PDL and mechanoreceptors so the individual cannot recognise forces.

Can lead to fracture of the implant crown.

Question 16

What is the clinical name for difficulties when swallowing?

Answer 16

Dysphagia

Question 17

What are the causes of dysphagia?

Answer 17

Tumour 
MS
Brain injury 
Stroke 
Gastroovsophagel reflux 
Lack of saliva

Question 18

How do you assess a patient for a stroke?

What is an indication of a stroke?

Answer 18

Test sensorial and motor reflexes in both sides of the face.
Ask them to grab both of your fingers.

Stroke:
Unilateral response.
Patient CAN move their forehead/eyebrow
Patient will only be able to grab 1 of your fingers

Question 19

What must be present for swallowing to occur?

Answer 19

Saliva

Question 20

What 2 senses are closely related and sometimes confused?

Answer 20

Smell and taste

Question 21

What sense stimulates the silvery gland?

Answer 21

Smell stimulates the salivary glad

Question 22

What do smelling disorders have an impact on?

Answer 22

Taste

Question 23

How can you recognise that the sweet in your mouth is a polo mint?

Answer 23

Compression of sweet on to the hard palate
Memory
2 point discrimination