Evaluation of an intraoral mouthguard as used by a patient with epilepsy – case report

Introduction. Epilepsy is one of neurological
chronic diseases characterized by sudden changes
in behaviour, loss of consciousness, seizures or tonic
skeletal muscles tone of varying intensity, which
may be caused by uncontrollable discharges of grey
matter cells, which furthermore results in temporary
brain dysfunction. It may be idiopathic or due to
stress, temperature, sleep deprivation and alcohol
consumption. Patients with such a disease often
sustain injuries in the stomatognathic area. However,
no standard proceedings regarding protection of its
structures during seizures have been established.
Aim of the study. To assess intraoral mouthguards as
worn by a patient with epilepsy who is often subject
to injuries in the oral cavity area during seizures.
Material and methods. Three intraoral mouthguards
made of various polymeric materials identical to those
worn by sportsmen doing sports with a traumatic
potential were assessed in a questionnaire. On its
basis, the use of the ethyl polymetacrylan mouthguard
during epileptic seizures and its impact on injuries
in the oral cavity area was reviewed and assessed.
Results. A mouthguard of Impak material made
at a split ratio of powder to liquid of 1.25:1 and