Neuropathological chewing: a dental management protocol and treatment appliances for pediatric patients.

Neuropathological chewing in hospitalized, comatose patients can occur from severe brain damage following a closed head injury, hypoxia, and septic shock. The dental management protocol developed by the Department of Dentistry at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, is presented. Treatment appliances utilizing a mandibular cast-silver cap splint with acrylic bite blocks and a maxillary mouthguard with acrylic bite blocks are discussed.