Comparative Evaluation of Oral Stereognosis in Epileptic and Nonepileptic Patients: An Original Research

Introduction: Oral stereognosis basically is the ability of our sensory mechanism to recognize the shape of objects placed in oral cavity. The science of stereognosis is very important for the dentist as well as technician so that to understand the expectation level of the patients and predict the prognosis of the prosthesis. Subjects and Methods: This study was carried out on 60 selected patients. The patients were divided into two groups, one being epileptic group and another control group. Five types of different test samples were cured in heat cured resin and a hole was drilled in the center of the test samples using frenum relieving bur and a floss of 10 cm length was tied to the test sample avoiding the risk of engulfment. Dimensions of all different test samples were multiplied by 5 and the geometric designs were drawn on the chart paper and marked as 1-5. A time period of 1 min was provided to each patient for the identification on the chart followed by gap of 30 s for the next test sample to be placed in the mouth. A score of 2 was given for each correct identification, score of 1 for no identification, and score of 0 for wrong identification of sample. Results: The oral stereognostic scores were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance and t-test. In intergroup comparison between two groups, epileptic group patients (7.52 ± 3.02) recorded less value than control group (12.65 ± 3.65) which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In intragroup comparison of control group, partially edentulous group (11.5 ± 3.57) had higher mean values than completely edentulous group (9.01 ± 4.09) which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Oral stereognosis predicts the prognosis of the treatment provided. Epileptic patients have decreased stereognostic activity both in dentulous as well as edentulous patients against the physiologically healthy patients.