Side Effects of Phenytoin in the Oral Cavity: A Review

The purpose of this article is to share with professionals in dentistry and related personnel in health area, the oral findings in epileptic patients under treatment of phenytoin. Epilepsy contributes to the ingestion of phenytoin, which is the oldest non-sedative antiepileptic; It was put on sale in 1938, after a systematic evaluation of compounds such as phenobarbital. We know the merits of the drug, the benefits of the patient and the promotion in the health institution in Venezuela to improve the life of the epileptic. In most specialized literature the long-term use of phenytoin causes gingival hyperplasia which is the only side effect but at the moment its pathogenesis is not accurately known and its etiology is unknown causing pain when chewing, speech disorder, gingival hemorrhage, periodontal abnormalities, dental malocclusion, and cosmetic damage.