Seizure disorders. Update on medical management for the dental clinician. A pacemaker for the brain.

There have been many papers reviewing the dental office assessment and management of the patient with a seizure disorder. This paper will discuss two updated medical management issues which may impact dental office care of the seizure patient. The focus will on the use of a pacemaker-like device connected to the vagus nerve as part of seizure control. Also presented is an FDA update on the increasingly recognized medical side effects of antiseizure (antiepileptic) medications which may impact a dentist's interaction with a patient.