Comparison of dental damage caused by trauma during electroshock therapy with cotton roll protection and prefabricated mouth guard

Abstract

Introduction: Oral trauma is one of the side effects of electroconvulsive therapy. The aim of the present study was to compare the amount of dental damage caused by trauma during treatment with electroshock therapy with cotton roll protection and prefabricated mouth guard. Materials and Methods: In this single-blind clinical trial study with, thirty patients with mental disorders were divided in two groups of prefabricated mouthguards (15 patients) and cotton rolls (15 patients). Two checklists were prepared for each patient to record data before and after ECT. All patients were examined by a dentist. In the clinical examination, all teeth, including healthy, root treated, deep and superficial caries, amalgam and composite restorations, were recorded in the checklist. The post-ECT examination was performed by a dentist who was blinded to the groups, and the examined variables were written in the checklist. The data were analyzed in SPSS 24 software and by chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression test. Results: The prevalence of trauma after electroshock therapy based on the teeth was significantly higher in the cotton roll group with 10.08% than in the prefabricated mouthguard group with 3.34%. In the prefabricated protective group, the frequency of partial cracks was 3.06% and the frequency of chipping was 0.28%. In the cotton roll group, the frequency of partial cracks was 6.72% and the frequency of chipping 3.36% (p-value<0.001). The effect of the presence of decayed teeth, the presence of amalgam restoration, composite restoration, veneer and remaining root before electroshock therapy on the formation of small and enamel cracks and chipping due to electroshock therapy was not significant. No soft tissue damage was observed in any of the two groups. Conclusion: Prefabricated mouthguard reduces dental traumas in electroshock therapy.