ABSTRACT
AIMS: The frequency, with which restricted mouth opening is encountered in the clinical practice, makes it essential to establish what constitutes the normal range. This study was undertaken to evaluate the normal range of mouth opening in adult population in south India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: randomized clinical study conducted on dentate adult patients to evaluate the normal range of mouth openin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 500 healthy patients aged between 18-59 were randomly selected and divided into four groups according to their age ranges. The maximum inter-incisal distance and width of right and left three fingers at the first distal inter-phalanges were measured using vernier calipers. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: ANOVA test, student t test and pearsons correlation test. RESULTS: The mean value and range of maximum mouth opening of 50.3 mm ± 6.26 mm for males and 49.9 mm ± 6.74 mm for females was recorded. These values were significant and correlated with the width of three fingers. It was found that the greatest mean maximum mouth opening was recorded in youngest age group and lowest was recorded in older age group in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: The mean mouth opening value decreases with age and is lesser in females as compared to males of same age. This study demonstrated that individuals in all the four groups were able to vertically align their right and left three fingers between the upper and lower central incisors upto the first distal interphalangeal folds thus suggesting that, width of three fingers can be used as 'tool' to distinguish 'normal' from 'restricted' mouth opening.
Subject(s)
Fingers , Mouth/physiology , Range of Motion, Articular , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , India , Male , Middle Aged , Young AdultABSTRACT
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a group of idiopathic disorders characterized by proliferation of bone marrow derived Langerhans cells and mature eosinophils. Their clinical features simulate common oral findings such as gingival enlargement, oral ulcers, and mobility of teeth, along with nonspecific radiographic features; hence, diagnosing such lesions becomes difficult for the oral physicians. These lesions are commonly seen in childhood; however, we are reporting a case of LCH in 29-year-old adult male. A provisional diagnosis of giant cell granuloma was considered based on history and examination, although the lesion was histologically proven to be LCH and was confirmed with immunohistochemical staining of S100 protein and CD1a antigen. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the understanding of diverse, nonpathognomical oral presentation of LCH that is easily misdiagnosed and overlooked by dentist.
ABSTRACT
Clear cell tumor in oral cavity constitutes an assorted group of lesions, which may be odontogenic, metastatic or of salivary gland origin. Those associated with salivary glands accounts for less than 1% of total cases mainly seen in the major salivary gland. Occurrence of clear cell carcinoma in minor salivary gland is rare and uncommon. Hence, this case of intraoral clear cell carcinoma associated with minor salivary gland of palate in a 57-year-old male patient is being reported.
