Appurtenant Technique to Manage Gagging Patient - Case Report

Abstract

The gag reflex is a physiological reaction which safeguards the airway from foreign bodies. In some people this response is exaggerated to the extent that the acceptance/provision of dental treatment becomes highly impossible. The technique proposed in this paper is application of pressure at Yintang point in order to relieve patient from stress and thereby reducing the incidence of gag reflex. The objective of this case report is to illustrate the role of acupressure as a method of controlling the gag reflex which is safe, quick, inexpensive and non-invasive. Management of patients with gagging involves many different approaches Acupressure, though based on the principles of acupuncture, the main advantage is that, it is completely non-invasive and does not require any instruments such as needle This simple technique of combining acupressure with impression making procedures to alleviate the problem of gagging during impression making is quite helpful irrespective of the severity of the reflex and impression material.