Oral functions - senses

Question 1

what are the branches of the trigeminal nerve?

3

Answer 1

• opthalmic branch
• maxillary branch
• mandibular branch

Question 2

what branch of what nerve innervates lower molars?

Answer 2

inferior alveolar nerve of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve

Question 3

what nerve does the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve give off anteriorly?

Answer 3

mental nerve

Question 4

where does the mental nerve exit the mandible?

Answer 4

mental foramen

Question 5

what does the mental nerve supply?

Answer 5

sensory branches of the chin and lower lip

Question 6

what does the inferior alveolar nerve block provide anaesthesia to?

7

Answer 6

• body of mandible and lower portion of ramus
• all mandibular teeth
• floor of mouth
• anterior 2/3 of tongue
• gingivae in lingual surface of mandible
• gingivae of labial surface of mandible
• mucosa and skin of lower lip and chin

Question 7

why may numbnes after a ID block remain?

Answer 7

temporary damage to the inferior alveolar nerve

Question 8

what is the difference between anaesthasia, paraesthesia and dysaesthesia?

Answer 8

• anaesthesia: completely numb, no sensation
• paraesthasia: an abnormal sensation, **tingling or prickling **
• dysaesthesia: an abnormal, unpleasant sensation when touched, caused by damage to peripheral nerve

Question 9

what is the purpose of the gag reflex?

Answer 9

acts to prevent material entering the pharynx

Question 10

what is the gag reflex evoked by?

Answer 10

mechanical stimulation of fauces, palate, posterior tongue, pharynx

Question 11

what nerves are involved in a gag reflex?

5

Answer 11

• trigeminal CN5
• glossopharyngeal CN9
• vagus CN10
• accessory CN11
• hypoglossal CN12

motor response

Question 12

what strategies can be put in place to reduce a gag reflex when taking an impression?

6

Answer 12

• dont overfill the palate of the tray
• put tray in from the back first so material does not overflow backwards
• use warm water when mixing so alginate sets quicker
• use a brand of alginate that sets faster
• distract the patient
• tell the patient to breathe through nose

Question 13

what does the facial nerve innervate?

Answer 13

motor innervation of facial muscles

Question 14

what is the function of the buccinator and orbicularis oris and what innervates them?

Answer 14

• helps to control bolus and **prevent spillage **
• innervated by the facial nerve (motor)

Question 15

what is Bell’s Palsy?

Answer 15

any type of facial paralysis that does not have any assoiated causes

Question 16

what are the causes of Bell’s Palsy?

6

Answer 16

• infections (HSV/cold sores)
• otitis media
• diabetes
• trauma
• toxins
• temporarily by infilatration of LA to the facial nerve branches during dental treatment

Question 17

how can dentists cause Bell’s Palsy in patients?

Answer 17

• when the LA injection is given too far distally and the parotid gland is penetrated
• LA diffuses through the loose glandular tissue and to the facial nerve
• all 5 terminal branches of the facial nerve is affected

Question 18

what are the complications of the ID block?

Answer 18

• inability to close eye or blink
• inability to raise corner of the mouth
• inability to puff cheeks

Question 19

how should a patient suffering with temporary Bell’s Palsy after LA be treated until back to normal?

Answer 19

• patient should be informed and reassured as to the transitory nature of the Palsy
• eye should be covered with a loose pad to protect the cornea until blinking returns

Question 20

where should an ID block be given and how should you ensure you do not damage the patient?

Answer 20

injection is given near the mandibular foramen
* look for the coronoid notch for the height of injection
* look for the pterygomandibular raphe to insert the injection lateral to it
* injection is usually 6-10mm above the occlusal plane of the mandibular molars
* ensure bone is hit before administering the injection

Question 21

what do periodontal mechanoreceptors allow for?

Answer 21

• finer discrimination of food texture, tooth contacts and levels of functioning
• control of jaw function
• precision of magnitude
• assessment of direction of forces applied to teeth
• rate of occlusal load application

Question 22

what is the decoronisation of the abutments of teeth and keeping the roots for dentures known as?

Answer 22

overdentures

Question 23

what are the psychological advantages of overdentures?

Answer 23

prevents the feeling of total tooth loss of natural teeth and makes eventual transition to complete dentures more acceptable

Question 24

what do mechanoreceptors sense?

Answer 24

touch and pressure

Question 25

what oral functions do mechanoreceptors contribute to?

3

Answer 25

• mastication (food consistency)
• salivation
• interdental discrimination

Question 26

what are the advantages of overdentures compared to complete dentures?

Answer 26

• teeth with periodontal ligament (PDL) provide proprioceptive feedback, enabling fine motor
  control during precision tasks as the PDL contains mechanoreceptors
• complete dentures lack a PDL, relying instead on osseointegration with the surrounding bone,
  significantly reducing proprioceptive input, making it harder to modulate force and
  perform delicate tasks accurately

Question 27

what disorders can cause or lead to food getting stuck in your oesophagus?

5

Answer 27

• stroke
• brain injury
• multiple sclerosis
• gastroesophageal reflux disease
• tumours

Question 28

how do you detect for a stroke?

Answer 28

compare sensorial and motor responses from both sides of the face and oropharynx
* strokes appear unilateral

Question 30

how can you tell that a sweet in your mouth is a mint with a hole in it without looking at it?

Answer 30

• you will have taste buds and olfaction of mint
• compressing it against the hard palate with the tongue can **format the shape **of the sweet
• mechanoreceptors identify the format with two point discrimination of both tissues

Question 31

what are nociceptors? where can they be found in the mouth?

Answer 31

respond to intense (noxious) stimuli, usually associated with pain
* found in the dental pulp and mucosa