Peripherally induced movement disorders in the stomatognathic system after oral surgical or dental procedures

Peripherally induced movement disorders (PIMD) are hyperkinetic movement disorders that can occur after injury to a part of the body. This study aimed to identify PIMD in the stomatognathic system following dental or oral surgical procedures.

A total of 229 patients with PIMD (144 women and 85 men; mean age: 53.4 years) triggered by oral surgical or dental interventions were evaluated retrospectively.

The average latency between the procedures and onset of PIMD was 14.3 days. Oral surgery (40.2%), including tooth extraction, trauma treatment, and other surgical procedures, was the most frequent trigger of PIMD. This was followed by general dental treatment, including periodontal, endodontic, and restorative procedures (36.7%), prosthetic treatment (19.7%), and orthodontic treatment (3.5%). PIMD consisted of oromandibular dystonia (73.8%), functional (psychogenic) movement disorders (11.4%), orolingual dyskinesia (7.9%), and hemimasticatory spasms (5.7%).

These results suggest that even minor alterations in normal anatomy or physiology after dental procedures may result in PIMD in predisposing patients.

Dental professionals should be aware that although infrequently, PIMD can develop after various dental treatments. If such symptoms precipitate, the attending physician should properly explain them to the patient and provide appropriate treatment or consultation with a movement disorder specialist.