Research: Facial Problems

Epub: Danesh-Sani SA et al. Clinical Assessment of Orofacial Manifestations in 500 Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2012 Jun 26.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of orofacial manifestations in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to assess the factors associated with these symptoms. The dental implications of this disease are discussed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 500 patients 11 to 69 years old with MS. All patients underwent a standard neurologic examination. The main manifestations assessed by the investigators were trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain), facial palsy (paralysis of the face and loss of sensation and uncontrolled movements), temporomandibular disorders (problems with the skull and jaw such as earache, head ache, hearing loss, blinking, biting chewing discomfort, tinnitus , visual complications (problems with seeing), dysphagia (problems with swallowing), and dysarthria.(problems with speech) The authors collected demographic (age, sex etc) information and clinical variables, such as disease duration and family history, to assess the factors associated with orofacial (mouth and face) symptoms in patients with MS.

RESULTS: The frequency of orofacial manifestations in patients with MS was 88.6%. Visual disorders (80.4%) were observed most frequently in patients with MS, followed by temporomandibular disorders (58.2%), dysarthria (42.1%), dysphagia (26.6%), facial palsy (19%), and trigeminal neuralgia (7.9%). A significant correlation with orofacial manifestations was found in patients with a longer duration of disease (>7 yr) compared with patients with a shorter duration (<7 yr; P < .005).

CONCLUSIONS: Among the different manifestations, visual complications, temporomandibular disorders, and dysarthria were commonly observed in patients with MS. Dental practitioners should be aware of the medications used by patients with MS to provide conservative treatments and avoid drug interactions.


The information above says it all that MS can cause facial problems and this can be quite common. You often complain about these types of study, but it provides valuble information and does not really cost money to undertake. Yet they give the author valuable publications, which are going to help them move up the career ladder.

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