The use of tongue-depressing stents for neuropathologic chewing.
Comatose patients may develop a neuropathologic chewing reflex that results in self-inflicted oral trauma. Loss of coordination between the tongue and chewing cycle leads to maceration of the tongue and infection. The use of a tongue-depressing stent can keep the tongue from acting as a bolus and prevent perpetuation of the reflex chewing cycle and resultant self-injury.
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000293:Adolescent; D003128:Coma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008409:Mastication; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D014059:Tongue
D000180:Acrylic Resins