The Gag Reflex: A Hurdle in Dentistry– Literature Review
S. Meenakshi *
Department of Prosthodontics, JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru-570015, Karnataka, India.
Shyla Dureja
Department of Prosthodontics, JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru-570015, Karnataka, India.
G. C. Kavitha
Department of Studies in Biotechnology, Davangere University, Shivagangotri, Davangere-577007, Karnataka, India.
M. Pallavi
Department of Studies and Research in Biotechnology, Molecular Biomedicine Laboratory Sahyadri Science College, Kuvempu University, Shimoga-577203, Karnataka, India.
K. N. Raghavendra Swamy
Department of Prosthodontics, JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru-570015, Karnataka, India.
Aishwarya Kottur
Department of Prosthodontics, JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru-570015, Karnataka, India.
Ramith Ramu
Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, SS Nagar, Mysuru-570015, Karnataka, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Gagging reflex poses a hurdle in numerous dental procedures. It causes discomfort for the patient, extended procedure time for the clinician, compromised quality of treatment and along with a lot of physiological discomfort for both. The normal gag reflex is protective in nature, but few individuals elicit extreme response, leading to problems during the treatment procedures. It is extremely important for the clinician to identify the cause and severity of the condition so that it can be decided whether the patient can handle standard treatment techniques or whether alternative methods must be considered. There is no universal solution for successfully managing the gagging patient. Various modalities can be used according to the doctor’s assessment and patient’s conditions in order to control the gag reflex so that the patient can be comfortable and cope with the dental treatment. A wide range of management solutions are available, and many cases need a combination of therapeutic procedures. The main aim of the present article is to comprehensively report the clinical significance, etiology, symptoms and various management approaches used during prosthodontic treatments.
Keywords: Gag reflex, prosthodontic gagging, etiology of gagging, neurophysiology of gag reflex