An occlusal guard for preventing and treating self-inflicted tongue trauma in a comatose patient: a clinical report.

This clinical report describes the treatment of a 48-year-old patient who demonstrated neuropathologic and reflex mastication of her tongue after an intracerebral hemorrhage. Standard medical interventions failed to address the oral condition, and the attending neurosurgeon consulted the dental team. A provisional soft occlusal guard was initially placed, followed by fabrication of a heat-polymerized, acrylic resin occlusal guard. The tongue injury improved after placement of the oral device and administration of systemic hydrocortisone.