Primary orofacial granulomatous involvement of lip and gingiva only: A diagnostic challenge.

Wiesenfeld described orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) as a group of noncaseating granulomatous disorders affecting the different parts of the body including oral and maxillofacial region, which can have variable etiology. The involvement of oral and maxillofacial region can be exclusive or primary before the involvement of other organs. OFG is a multifactorial clinicopathologic disorder, and its clinical manifestation mimics the various systemic conditions making its diagnosis tough for a dentist. Delay in diagnosis and evaluation of OFG may cause indurated, swollen lips that may compromise cosmetic face value, speaking, and eating functions, and other possible systemic granulomatous disorders can be missed. Here, we present a case of OFG with tooth-associated infection without any recognizable systemic cause. This article presents the diagnostic challenges that a dentist may face in diagnosing such cases, and thus treatment planning should be of the multidisciplinary approach. Regular follow-up is very essential for proper care and management.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis - A Challenge for the Dental Professional.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a group of rare disorders histologically characterized by the proliferation of LC, involving multiple organs and systems. Typically, there is bone involvement and, less frequently, lesions may be found in the lungs, liver, lymph nodes, skin, and mucosae. Oral soft tissue lesions without bone involvement are rare. Antigenic markers that react with CD1a glycoprotein, cytoplasmatic protein S100 detected by immunoperoxidase staining, and/or presence of Birbeck granules on electron microscopic examination are required for a definitive diagnosis of LCH. In this article, we report a case of LCH, which had presented with multiple oral lesions without any other systemic signs and symptoms. Management of such children with periodontal manifestations should include hematological and, if possible, immunological investigations at an early stage. Careful clinical examination, good diagnostic skill, and awareness of characteristic cytological features of LCH can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment with minimal deformity.

Practice of Self-Medication for Dental Problems in Uttar Pradesh, India.

PURPOSE: To assess the practice of self-medication for oral health problems in Uttar Pradesh, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multiregional cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in four towns; Moradabad, Meerut, Ghaziabad and Bareilly over a 2-month period on 352 subjects. The questionnaire consisted of a demographic profile, questions related to problems of oral health for self-medication, substances used, source of the substance, duration, reason and source of advice for self-medication. The data were analysed using the chi-square test with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-medication was 72%. The source of substances in most of the cases was a pharmacy shop (62.5%). The most frequent self-medicated oral health problem was toothache (55.6%), followed by other problems, and the most frequently used substance was analgesics (59%). 49.8% self-medicated due to lack of money for consulting a doctor and 45% of the population received advice from the pharmacist for self-medication. CONCLUSION: The majority of those surveyed practiced self-medication using an array of drugs, e.g. analgesics, native herbs, antibiotics, etc, either alone or in combination. The main reason identified for self-medication was motivation from relatives and friends.

Orocutaneous Fistula or Traumatic Infectious Skin Lesion: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Orocutaneous fistula (OCF) (of dental origin) is an uncommon but well-described condition in the literature. These are often misdiagnosed by physicians and dentists. Careful selection of investigating modality is important in case of diagnostically challenging cases. A 19-year-old female came with a complaint of a lesion on the chin reported with h/o trauma with the impact on chin presented as diagnostic dilemma because of unusual case history and clinical examination. Commonly used radiographic investigations like IOPA and orthopantomograph did not resolve the dilemma whereas advanced imaging modality like CT scan, 3D volume imaging, and contrast enhanced CT played an important role in the diagnosis of OCF and selecting the treatment plan.