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Myasthenia gravis: Dental treatment considerations
Author(s) -
Patton Lauren L.,
Howard James F.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.1997.tb00532.x
Subject(s) - myasthenia gravis , medicine , weakness , muscle weakness , masticatory force , dentistry , surgery
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that presents challenges for the dental practitioner. Facial and masticatory muscles may be involved and complicate dental treatment. Exacerbations of the skeletal muscle weakness and fatigabllity that characterize this disorder can be precipitated by certain medications used in dentistry. A review of 47 dental treatment episodes in 16 patients with myasthenia gravis was undertaken to identify neuromuscular responses to dental treatment and post‐dental treatment medical therapy required for control of resultant exacerbations of muscular weakness. Neuromuscular sequelae occurred in 5 treatment episodes for four different patients. Management considerations and drug precautions are discussed.