title: The Use of an Alternative Extraoral Periapical Technique for Patients with Severe Gag Reflex.
abstract: Gag reflex is a physiologic mechanism that promotes contraction of the muscles of the tongue and pharyngeal walls. Different factors, including intraoral radiographic films and sensors, may trigger this reflex. Patients with severe gag reflex may not be able to tolerate the presence of intraoral radiographic films or sensors during root canal therapy (RCT). This factor may prevent an appropriate intraoral radiograph, which is important in RCT. Different approaches have been used to facilitate dental procedures in patients suffering from severe gag reflex. The use of an extraoral radiographic technique is an alternative method to obtain working length confirmation in patients with severe gag reflex. In this report of 2 cases, the use of an extraoral radiographic technique as an alternative approach during RCT in patients with severe gag reflex associated with phobic behavior and trismus was successfully demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Rua Professor Alberto Pacheco 125/107, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mauro Henrique Chagas
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: E Silva
authors.affiliation: Endodontic Department, Faculdade de Odontologia São Leopoldo Mandic, Rua Emilo Ribas 776/13, 13025-141 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Santos
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7429-4967
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, S/N, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariane Floriano Lopes
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, S/N, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina Oliveira
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: de Lima
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, S/N, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Celso Neiva
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Campos