Oral Submucos fibrosis

It is a condition very common in India and 9 out of 10,000 people are suffering from this and this number is increasing day by day. The first case was noticed by Amesur in Karachi as far back as 1929, This disease affects any part of the oral cavity like cheek, retromolar triangle, soft palate,uvula, base of the tongue and lips including vermilion border and some times the pharynx, occasionally preceded by vesicle formation, always associated with fibrous bands fibro elastic change leading to stiffness of the oral mucosa, trismus and inability to eat."

CAUSES
The aetiology of the disease is obscure but researchers have now clearly established that oral habits including Betelnut, Tobacco, Pan, Gutka. Pan Masala chewing and eating of spices chillies.
    SYMPTOMS
  1. Restricted mouth opening.
  2. Burning sensation in the mouth.
  3. Whitish colour change of the oral mucosa.
  4. Restricted protrusion of the tongue.
  5. Restricted retrusion of the tongue.


Restricted mouth opening

    TREATMENTS
  1. There is no specific therapy, though various treatment modalities have so far been tried with varying degree of success, such as:
  2. Injection of cortisones
  3. Collagenase enzymes
  4. Injection of Placentrex"
  5. Application of 4% Acetic Acid (vinegar).
  6. Injection of Vit C.
  7. Inj. of whole Liver Extract.
The corticosteroids play a definite role in relieving the symptoms in the early stage of the disease, but, there is a relapse after the withdrawal of the drug. Moreover, cortisone has its own hazards if used for a long period of time. Hyaluronidase is a valuable drug but its prolonged use may cause degeneration of the neighbouring tissues. The use of Placentrex has certainly proved helpful in alleviating the symptoms with almost no side effects,but is not capable of providing complete relief. Many a times a combination of above mentioned drugs is used and results have shown considerable improvement. But most important of all treatments is to give the habits causing this dreaded disease.
The disease is not fatal in itself unless it is influenced by carcinomatous involvements. The normal mouth function is impaired due to the disease which causes starvation. It also has a serious effect on oral hygiene and makes dental treatment very difficult and at times virtually impossible 'SUB MUCOUS FIBROSIS is considered a PRECANCEROUS LESION hence habits causing this should be discouraged.
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