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Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy
10:22

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Oral health in non-institutionalized epileptic children with special reference to phenytoin medication

T Modéer, G Dahllöf, K Theorell

    Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
    |June 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Phenytoin medication in epileptic children is linked to increased gingival overgrowth and thickness, despite similar caries experience and plaque levels compared to other anticonvulsants. This highlights potential periodontal risks associated with phenytoin therapy.

    Area of Science:

    • Dentistry
    • Pharmacology
    • Pediatrics

    Background:

    • Epilepsy treatment often involves anticonvulsant medications.
    • Phenytoin is a commonly used anticonvulsant with known side effects.
    • Periodontal health in children with epilepsy requires further investigation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To compare periodontal condition and caries experience in epileptic children on phenytoin versus other anticonvulsants.
    • To assess the prevalence and characteristics of gingival overgrowth in children using phenytoin.

    Main Methods:

    • A comparative study involving 55 non-institutionalized epileptic children.
    • Two groups: phenytoin (PHT) group and a control group on other anticonvulsants.
    • Gingival overgrowth assessed by probing depth and marginal gingiva thickness; caries experience measured by DF-s index.

    Main Results:

    • Phenytoin group showed significantly higher marginal gingiva thickness and a higher percentage of gingival units with increased probing depth (43%) compared to controls.
    • Caries experience (DF-s) was slightly lower in the PHT group (5.4) than the control group (7.2).
    • Gingival overgrowth in the PHT group was associated with gingivitis, plaque index, age, and duration of PHT therapy.

    Conclusions:

    • Phenytoin therapy is associated with increased gingival overgrowth in epileptic children.
    • Periodontal monitoring is crucial for children on long-term phenytoin treatment.
    • Further research should explore preventive strategies for phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth.

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