Clinical statistics were made about 77 patients (12 males and 65 females) treated with psychotropic drugs in our department during the period from January, 1983 to December, 1989. The results obtained were as follows;
1. Patients in their 50's were the most common in both males and females. Three of the males and 20 of the females fell within this age group. The most frequent patient complaint was pain, accounting for 59 cases (77%). The most frequent pain was glossodynia, which was found in 50 cases (65%). The treatment period in our clinic after symptom of onset was for at least six months in 43 cases (55%). The average patient had visited three other medical institutions prior to coming to our department.
2. Anti-anxiety drugs were administered in 53 cases, antidepressants in 6, and a combination of these two drugs to 17. One case received an antipsychotic drug. The mean dose of the anti-anxiety drug was 1-2mg daily and that of the antidepressant was 10mg daily. The period of administration was less than three months in 80% of the cases.
3. Thirty cases (41%) experienced excellent results, 26 (36%) experienced good results, and 17 (23%) experienced no effect. Treatment was discontinued at midpoint in 4 cases. In as much as 77% of the cases experienced a beneficial result, administration of psychotropic agents to psychosomatic dental patients complaining of dental and oral surgical symptoms appears to be useful.