DENTAL
C
ENTRO
Oral Screening
Email:  ChapalaDental@yahoo.com       Website:  www.ChapalaDental.com
Carretera Poniente 368 (Rancho Del Oro Ajijic)
1  1/2 Blocks West of Waffle House   -   Easy Access  -  Free Parking!
Phone -  Local:  (376) 766 2911    International:  011 52 376 766 2911

HERE IS WHAT WE LOOK FOR AT CENTRO DENTAL




Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The lesion is located on the posterior lateral surface of the tongue--a high risk area for oral cancer.
It is large, red, ulcerated, and irregular. Lesions with this appearance must be considered to be oral
cancer until proven otherwise.




Fissured and Geographic Tongue (Migratory Glossitis)
The grooves running laterally across the tongue are one obvious diagnosis (fissured tongue). The
white areas suggest another diagnosis. Note that some of white areas form partial rings, a
characteristic of geographic tongue. Usually the tongue looks red in the center of the rings;
however, in this case the entire tongue looks red obscuring these features except at the tip where
the typical appearance is preserved. The two vesicles on the near lateral surface are probably
related to geographic tongue.



Osseous Dysplasia (Cementoma, Periapical Osteofibrosis, Periapical
Cemental Dysplasia)
This pattern of radiopacities and radiolucencies around the apices of seemingly vital teeth is
virtually diagnostic of osseous dysplasia (cementoma). The term "cementoma" is a misnomer as the
opacities are not cementum but bone; while they appear to arise from the teeth, the lesions
apparently arise within bone instead.  


Nicotine Stomatitis
The white color of this patient's hard palate and the white elevations with red centers are
characteristic of nicotine stomatitis. The red dots are the orifices of minor salivary gland ducts the
epithelium of which does not keratinize. This patient should be informed that the smoking habit has
caused these changes and that a malignancy may develop here or elsewhere.


Mucocoele (Mucous Escape Reaction)
This photograph was taken before use of gloves was accepted practice. There is a dome-shaped
raised lesion covered by normal mucosa in the lip. The most obvious diagnosis is mucocoele
resulting from injury to minor salivary glands in the lip and spilling of saliva into the tissues. It must
be kept in mind that minor salivary gland tumors can have a similar clinical appearance.  



Aphthous Ulcer (Canker Sore, Aphthous Stomatitis)
The yellowish lesion surrounded by the red ring is characteristic of aphthous stomatitis. The yellow
area is an ulcer and the red ring is surrounding inflammation. That the lesion was painful cinches
the diagnosis

Suppurative Apical Periodontitis (Parulis)
The raised, red gingival lesion is probably associated with the carious mandibular first molar tooth.
There probably is a periapical lesion at the molar apex that is draining onto the surface. If so, the
lesion is located at the drainage site. While the lesion could be called a "pyogenic granuloma," it is
commonly called a "parulis." One author calls this situation (a periapical lesion draining through a
parulis) "suppurative apical periodontitis."


Radiation Caries
This patient is afficted with generalized caries around the necks of all teeth. This circumstance
occasionally is seen in patient who receive head and neck radiotherapy. In such cases, the salivary
glands are damaged or destroyed by radiation passing through them. It is diminished saliva flow
that leads to the generalized caries seen here. The term "radiation caries" is used to describe this
situation.

Epulis Fissuratum (Inflammatory Hyperplasia)
The extra tissue in the maxillary vestibule was caused by an ill-fitting maxillary denture. The term
"epulis fissuratum" is commonly used for this circumstance. Since the extra tissue was produced by
inflammation and subsequent scarring, the term "inflammatory hyperplasia" is a common synonym.


Median Rhomboid Glossitis
The rough reddish area in the midline of the tongue is median rhomboid glossitis--few other
diseases occur in this location. For years, it has been assumed that median rhomboid glossitis is
cause by faulty tongue development; however, more recently, Candida infestation has been posed
as its etiology.  


Residual Cyst
There is an obvious radiolucency in the anterior maxilla. That it is not in the midline eliminates
incisive canal and median palatal cysts from consideration. Note that the central incisor tooth near
the lesion is missing (replaced by a bridge). Most likely, this tooth was extracted and an attached
cyst inavertently left behind. Cysts left behind after tooth extraction are known as "residual cysts."

Ameloblastoma
There is a multilocular radiolucency extending from the first molar tooth to the coronoid notch. The
lesion within the radiolucency has caused root resorption. The most obvious cause of a
multiloculated radiolucency in the posterior mandible is an ameloblastoma, a benign but aggressive
odontogenic neoplasm.


Condensing Osteitis
There is a radiopaque area in the mandible between the molar teeth. The first molar has periapical
radiolucencies around both roots; it also has extensive coronal caries that seems to extend into the
pulp. Radiopacities associated with non-vital teeth are known as "condensing osteitis."  



Supernumerary Teeth (Suggestive of cleidocranial dysostosis)
This patient obviously has many extra (supernumerary) teeth. Cleidocranial dysostosis is one
condition in which supernumerary teeth occur. The diagnosis of "supernumerary teeth" would,
hopefully, suffice.


Irritation Fibrosis (Fibroma)
This large raised lesion is covered with mucosa that is normal in texture and color. The fact that the
lesion is not red suggests it is composed of fibrous connective tissue similar to that found in the
lamina propria of oral mucous membrane. It seems to be slow-growing and is probably benign.
Benign neoplasms of fibrous c.t. are "fibromas." Since these lesions may be produced by chronic
cheek biting some use the terms "irritation fibroma" or "irritation fibrosis" instead.


Benign Keratosis (Hyperkeratosis)
This white lesion is located in a high risk area for the development of oral cancer; biopsy is required
to determine its true nature. However, since the state board requires a "snap" diagnosis and since
no redness or ulceration is evident, "benign keratosis" is the most likely bet.  


Fordyce "Disease" (Ectopic Sebaceous Glands)
Sebaceous glands are most commonly associated with hair follicles; since the mouth is hairless,
sebaceous glands are uncommon there. Sometimes, however, they appear in the mouth where they
usually appear as yellowish flecks under the overlying mucosa. They are usually bilateral and do
not wipe off; once correctly diagnosed, no treatment is necessary.


Dentinogenesis Imperfecta
This is obviously a child patient. All exposed teeth have a grayish opalescent appearance. The fact
that all teeth are involved suggests a systemic, rather than local, condition. The enamel seems
unaffected ruling out amelogenesis imperfecta. Ruling out an enamel condition leaves a condition of
dentin; dentinogenesis imperfecta is the most likely diagnosis.  


Actinic (Solar) Cheilitis
The lower lip in this male patient is thicker than normal; also, there are white discolorations of the
vermilion surface. Chronic exposure to sunlight causes premalignant changes in the surface
epithelium and reactive changes in the underlying connective tissue. The name given this condition
is "actinic" (sunlight) "cheilitis" (inflammation of the lip).


Lichen Planus
The white intersecting lines affecting this patient's buccal mucosa is characteristic of lichen planus.
This condition may occur on the skin, on the oral mucosa, or on both skin and mucosa. It is usually
bilateral and may sometimes cause ulceration (erosion) of the mucous membrane. The red
posterior area may be the beginning of such "erosive lichen planus."


Hemangioma
The large red mass within the tongue most likely represents a benign neoplasm of blood vessels--a
"hemangioma." Hemorrhage is the most common complication of such lesions.



Tori
Some patients inherit a tendency to form bony protuberances on their jaws. Here they extend from
the lingual surface of the mandible; in this location they are known as "tori mandibularis." If they
occur in the midline of the hard palate they are known as "tori palatini." In any other location they
are known simply as "exostoses." Unless a denture is needed, no treatment is necessary.  


Inflammatory Papillary Hyperplasia
This is the classic appearance of an inflammatory reaction to an ill-fitting maxillary denture. There
are many red, soft, raised lesions extending from the mucosal surface. The term "inflammatory
papillary hyperplasia" is commonly used for this condition.
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