National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

What condition is most likely responsible for the symptoms experienced by a patient who has lost muscle control on one side of the face after dental treatment?

1. Stroke

2. Bell's palsy

3. Cerebral Vascular Accident

4. Trigeminal neuralgia

The correct answer is: Cerebral Vascular Accident

The symptoms of losing muscle control on one side of the face after dental treatment are most indicative of a condition that impacts the facial nerve. Bell's palsy is primarily characterized by sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face, and it often comes on without warning. This condition is particularly relevant if the facial nerve or its branches were inadvertently affected during the dental procedure or if there was pre-existing inflammation of the nerve. Stroke, while it can cause similar symptoms, typically presents with additional neurological deficits and altered consciousness, which would likely be noted during a dental visit. Cerebral Vascular Accident refers generally to a stroke, which is also not limited to muscle control issues on the face alone. Trigeminal neuralgia usually presents with episodes of severe facial pain, rather than loss of muscle control. Thus, given the context of recent dental treatment and the isolated muscle control issue, Bell's palsy stands as a more likely explanation for the patient's symptoms.