Key Terms

Atypical odontalgia
chronic throbbing or burning pain in the teeth, alveolar process, or mucosa without a clear dental cause. The cause of this pain is primarily neuropathic

CMI
severe or chronic mental illness

DSM IV-R
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, 4th Edition, Revision. This text, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is a guide to diagnosing mental illness

Delusion
a false belief firmly held despite obvious proof or evidence to the contrary. In addition, the belief is not one ordinarily accepted by other members of the person’s culture or subculture.

Extrapyramidal side-effects
muscle spasms, symptoms similar to those experienced in Parkinson’s disease, or involuntary movements which are potential side-effects of certain antipsychotic medications.

Hallucination
a sensory perception in the absence of an actual external stimulus. It may occur in any of the senses, e.g., auditory, gustatory, olfactory, somatic, tactile, visual.

Mental illness
a behavioral or psychological syndrome associated with significant distress or disability. It is estimated that in any given year, one in five people have a mental illness.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP)
a heart valve abnormality present in many patients with panic disorders or agoraphobia. Some patients with MVP may require prophylactic antibiotics before oral health treatment.

Mood
a pervasive and sustained emotion that, in the extreme, markedly colors one’s perception of the world. Common examples of mood include depression, elation, and anger.

Neuroleptic
an antipsychotic drug.

Neuropathic pain
pain that originates from sensitization of nerves. It is not a consequence of mental illness.

Psychotropic
a drug used to alter abnormal thinking, feelings, or behavior. It is traditionally divided into classes of antipsychotic, antidepressant, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) drugs.

Tardive dyskinesia
a late-appearing side-effect of certain psychotropic medications given long-term at high doses. The symptoms include persistent involuntary movements of the tongue, face, or jaws.

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
a disorder characterized by pain, limited range of jaw motion, and temporomandibular joint noises. Roughly 50% of patients with TMD have or have had a psychological diagnosis.