Abstract

ALFAYA, Thays Almeida et al. Bell's palsy and temporomandibular disorder association: clinical treatment. RFO UPF [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.2, pp. 222-227. ISSN 1413-4012.

Objective: To report a clinical case and to describe the therapy chosen for a 29-year-old male patient, who was treated at the pain clinic from a private university and was diagnosed as having both Bell's facial palsy and temporomandibular joint disorder. Case report: The patient complained of continuous pain on the right side of his face, at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region, which had begun two years ago and worsened during movements of mouth opening and mastication. Itching, lachrymation, ear buzzing, and paresthesia were also diagnosed. Peripheral palsy (Bell's), which had been previously diagnosed, was characterized by the patient's inability to close his right lid voluntarily and by palsy of orbicularis, risorius, and buccinator muscles of the mouth. Associated with this pathology, the patient was also diagnosed with temporomandibular disorder characterized by centrally-mediated myalgia. The therapeutic intervention included occlusal therapy, pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, and laser therapy. After two weeks, the patient exhibited significant improvement of his pain symptoms and stabilization of the muscle disorder. Regarding the facial nerve motor function, a small gain was observed in the patient's facial mimics. Final considerations: The therapeutic intervention was satisfactory and the patient has been followed up since then at the same institution.

Keywords : Bell Palsy.; Laser Therapy.; Low-Level.; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders..