A Novel COVID Era-Related Oromandibular Dyskinesia: Surgical Mask-Induced Dyskinesia?

Abstract

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing facemasks has become mandatory in many parts of the world. While wearing a mask has a vital role in protecting people against the spread of infection, it has not been free of complications. We are reporting two unique cases of oromandibular dyskinesia induced by wearing a surgical mask. A 58-year-old right-handed man was brought to our attention because of abnormal movements in the oromandibular area (Case 1). His wife reported that the abnormal movements started 3 months earlier, when he started wearing a surgical mask due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The patient denied any inner urge to perform the movements or abnormal sensation over this area; he was unaware of the movements and was not disturbed by them as the movements did not interfere with his daily activities such as speaking and eating. He reported a 1-year history of hand tremor present at rest, for which he had tried primidone, clonazepam, and propranolol without benefit but had not received anti-Parkinson medications. He had no history of dopamine receptor blocking drugs usage, tics, or obsessive compulsive disorder. He had a normal dentition and no history of oral or facial sensory complaints.