Itchy Lip-Swollen Tongue Swollen Lip It's not Always an Allergy to Dental Materials; Angioederna- Possibly Life Threatening! You Might See This in Your Practice

When providing dental treatment, the dental clinician (DC) is expected to be knowledgeable in recognition and emergency management of an allergic response. Common manifestations of localized allergic responses can present as a rash or hives (urticaria), running of the nose, and swelling of the lips, eyes, face, respiratory and gastrointestinal mucosa. More critically, there is the potential for breathing difficulties from laryngeal swelling. Airway obstruction can be potentially life threatening.' Anaphylactic shock can be another serious reaction. Although most of these allergic responses can be minimal and managed with an antihistamine (diphenhydramine), more serious allergic reactions (marked breathing difficulty, anaphylaxis) may require the use of an intramuscular injection of epinephrine. This case report describes a patient who had what appeared to be a common allergic response to some aspect of dental materials or treatment but was subsequently diagnosed with an allergic condition known as angioedema (AE) that had the potential to be non-responsive to dental office emergency medications. AE may be due to the more common histamine generated process as described below. However, if the patient's AE is due to alternate pathophysiology, the DC may not be able to manage breathing difficulties due to airway swelling, which could be rapidly fatal.

Oral pathology in inflammatory bowel disease

The incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) - Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) - has been increasing on a global scale, and progressively, more gastroenterologists will be included in the diagnosis and treatment of IBD. Although IBD primarily affects the intestinal tract, extraintestinal manifestations of the disease are often apparent, including in the oral cavity, especially in CD. Specific oral manifestations in patients with CD are as follows: indurate mucosal tags, cobblestoning and mucogingivitis, deep linear ulcerations and lip swelling with vertical fissures. The most common non-specific manifestations, such as aphthous stomatitis and angular cheilitis, occur in both diseases, while pyostomatitis vegetans is more pronounced in patients with UC. Non-specific lesions in the oral cavity can also be the result of malnutrition and drugs. Malnutrition, followed by anemia and mineral and vitamin deficiency, affects the oral cavity and teeth. Furthermore, all of the drug classes that are applied to the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases can lead to alterations in the oral cavity due to the direct toxic effects of the drugs on oral tissues, as well as indirect immunosuppressive effects with a risk of developing opportunistic infections or bone marrow suppression. There is a higher occurrence of malignant diseases in patients with IBD, which is related to the disease itself and to the IBD-related therapy with a possible oral pathology. Treatment of oral lesions includes treatment of the alterations in the oral cavity according to the etiology together with treatment of the primary intestinal disease, which requires adequate knowledge and a strong cooperation between gastroenterologists and specialists in oral medicine.

Life-threatening bite injury of the lower lip after use of metamizole

INTRODUCTION

Bite wounds of the oral mucosa heal after eliminating the causative irritant, but there are serious exceptions from the rule. We present the case of a 37-year-old woman with an ulcer of the mucosa of the lower lip, which had been present for 10 days, and leucopenia.

DISCUSSION

Agranulocytosis after the use of metamizole is part from leukaemia and lues, a rare reason for non-healing ulcers of the mucosa of the oral cavity without fulminant signs for inflammation.

CONCLUSION

As this is a life-threatening disease, medical therapy must begin immediately.

A Simple Reconstruction for Congenital Unilateral Lower Lip Palsy

BACKGROUND

Congenital unilateral lower lip palsy or congenital hypoplasia of the depressor anguli oris muscle, also known as asymmetric crying facies, characterized by deformity of the lower lip, lacks aggressive surgical intervention methods. Although several dynamic and static reconstruction methods have been reported, textbooks introduce only passive surgical intervention, of weakening the unaffected side through techniques such as selective marginal mandibular neurectomy which, however, tends to produce lack of emotive movement. Therefore, a new surgical intervention for the reconstructive treatment of asymmetric crying facies is presented.

METHODS

A bidirectional (horizontal and vertical) fascia was grafted to restore the aesthetic appearance of the asymmetric lower lip. The horizontal fascial strip achieves restoration of the center of the lower lip to its proper position, whereas the vertical fascial strip achieves aesthetic symmetry of the lower lip at mouth opening. Each end of the vertical strip is anchored to the lower lip and the mandibular bone, respectively, thereby allowing simultaneous movement of the mandible and lower lip.

RESULTS

The reconstruction of unilateral lower lip palsy has been successfully performed on seven patients, with ages ranging from 2 years 9 months to 11 years 1 month, since June of 1996.

CONCLUSIONS

The aim of this procedure is not to achieve complete dynamic reanimation. However, with regard to its simplicity and minimal invasiveness and the satisfaction of the patients, it is considered to be a well-balanced surgical intervention.

Electromyographic activity of lower lip muscles when chewing with the lips in contact and apart

Masticatory muscle activity is coordinated with perioral muscle during chewing. Subjects with competent lips usually chew with the lips in light contact, whereas subjects with incompetent lips possibly have dysfunctional chewing. In this study, the electromyographic (EMG) activities of the lower lip and masseter muscles were recorded when chewing with the lips in contact and apart. At first, 37 subjects were divided into an incompetent lip group and competent lip group on the basis of EMG activity of the lower lip muscle at rest. The durations of the masseter nonactive phase and total phase when chewing with lips in contact were shorter in the incompetent lip group than in the competent lip group. In the incompetent lip group, when chewing with the lips apart, the EMG activity of lower lip in the masseter nonactive phase was significantly (P < .05) higher than in the competent lip group, but there was no difference in the EMG activity in the masseter active phase between two groups. Our results suggest that subjects with incompetent lips have difficulty chewing while their lips are relaxed. We conclude that the inability of sealing the lips and lip dysfunction could possibly affect masticatory function.

Treatment of perioral dystonia with botulinum toxin in 4 cases of Meige's syndrome

OBJECTIVE

We describe the treatment of 4 patients (median age, 53.5 years) with incapacitating perioral dystonia and insufficient response to peroral medication. Their general treatment with clonazepam and anticholinergics was supplemented by intramuscular injections with botulinum toxin A (20-40 U) in the orbicularis oris muscle, guided by electromyography (EMG).

STUDY DESIGN

Perioral dystonia and treatment effect were assessed by using subjective global and visual analog scales, examiner-based video movement counts and rating scales, and quantitative EMG. t Tests were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The result of the intramuscular botulinum toxin A injections was characterized by the patients as "much improved"; correspondingly, dystonia was significantly reduced in visual analog scale scores, on examiner-based assessments, and in recordings of EMG. The side effects were few and short-lasting.

CONCLUSION

Incapacitating perioral dystonia in Meige's syndrome may be safely controlled by recurrent EMG-guided botulinum toxin A injections in the orbicularis oris muscle, in combination with general medication.

[Mechanisms disordering wound healing on the lip after bilateral crossing of the inferior alveolar nerve and experimental validation of correction methods]

The mechanisms of lip wound healing after bilateral crossing of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) were studied on Chinchilla rabbits in 3 experimental series, 6 animals per series. In group 1 bilateral crossing of IAN was carried out, in group 2 bilateral crossing of IAN was paralleled by removal of a mucous flap in the middle of the lower lip, and in group 3 the same wound as in group 2 was created, after which the wounds in this group were daily treated with a special ointment and a single injection of lidocaine (1% solution) under the wound. The nerve crossing led to development of ulcer on the lip with degenerative changes in the vascular walls, destruction of nerve fibers, and fragmentation of some axial cylinders. Crossing of IAN simultaneously with removal of the lower lip flap led to more severe degenerative changes in the tissue. Daily treatment of the lip with the ointment and lidocaine blocking normalized wound healing. A possible mechanism of the changes observed is discussed.

[Lip kinetic disorders]

There are many lips kinetic disorders whose clinical appearances greatly differ. An acute examination directs toward the diagnosis on a neurologic, neurogenous, muscular, myogenous, medicamentous, dermatological or psychiatric etiology. The authors review the different etiologies that have to be discussed, in order to choose the appropriate further investigations and specialized examinations, before a possible surgical treatment.

A cephalometric study of facial growth in van der Woude syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that maxillary growth and lower lip form in patients with van der Woude syndrome (VDW) is different from patients with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective, case-control study at a tertiary cleft center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS

Records of 53 patients with VDW, who presented for treatment during the years 1968 through 1998 were obtained. Twenty-three of 53 patients had received at least one lateral cephalogram during the course of their treatment. Of these 23, in 17 it was possible to find non-syndromic case controls with identical cleft type, sex, and method of cleft palate repair, with year of birth matching within 1 year of the corresponding VDW patient. For these 17 pairs of VDW and non-syndromic cleft controls, cephalogram acquisition dates were checked to see how well the corresponding pairs matched. A total of 43 pairs of cephalograms were deemed to be acceptably matched because the ages at acquisition differed by less than 15% of the VDW patient's age.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Thirteen measurements were derived from the 11 standard lateral cephalometric landmarks recorded on each cephalogram. The data were classified into five groups according to age at time of cephalogram, and sets of paired non-syndromic cleft and VDW measurements were tested for differences using a Wilcoxon signed rank sum test in two ways, first including all cleft types and then including only those patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate. A longitudinal growth analysis considering the movement of the skeletal A and B points was performed on the patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate.

RESULTS

For the osseous measurements, anteroposterior maxillary length as described by the anterior nasal spine (ANS)-posterior maxillary point distance was statistically significantly shorter in the VDW patients of age 13 years and older, by 5.3 mm. Maxillary height, as described by the nasion-ANS distance was shorter in the VDW patients, closely approaching statistical significance in the age range 7 through 11 years. The lip soft tissue measurements showed significantly greater protrusion over several age ranges in the VDW patients. The longitudinal growth analysis showed a significantly more inferior vertical position of the B point in the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates a few statistically significant differences in maxillary growth and lip conformation between VDW and matching controls. Small sample sizes for each age group hamper the ability to fully interpret or generalize the pattern of these differences.

Management considerations for the granuloma of pregnancy

The epulis gravidarum, or granuloma of pregnancy, represents a vascular lesion observed during gravidism. While histologic features may mimic those of generic pyogenic granulomas, the management may differ. Remarkably, the plastic surgical literature is conspicuously void of information concerning this common entity, with approximately 40 new cases being diagnosed and treated annually at our institution. With a review of the literature, we offer four typical and representative case reports that serve to highlight the pertinent physiology and treatment options. Guidelines are proposed to assist in the management of this disease process.

[Follow-up study of dyskinesia-induced dysgnathias following myofunctional therapy]

Forty-eight patients with dysgnathia brought about by tongue dyskinesia underwent myofunctional therapy leading up to and at the beginning of orthodontic treatment. Short- and long-term results of this therapy were studied with the help of indirect palatography. Palatographs of empty swallowing and the test consonants "L", "N", "S" and "T" were evaluated visually and metrically. The palatographs were made prior to myofunctional therapy and thereafter first at the end of the therapy, then at the end of the control or supervision period, and finally, after on average 4 years. Visual evaluation revealed a clearly recognizable change in all functions when compared with the physiological palatographs. A change in the "S" consonant sound was the least conspicuous. Metric evaluation revealed for the 4 out of 5 of the test functions, namely, empty swallowing and the consonants "L", "N", and "T", marked long-term dorsal orientation of the tongue. The short-term changes in tongue function were more prevalent than the long-term.

Simonart's band and facial growth in unilateral clefts of the lip and palate

A cephalometric analysis was carried out to see if the presence of a Simonart's band at birth was associated with a detectable difference in subsequent craniofacial form. Mixed longitudinal data from 5 through 18 years of age was analyzed for 257 individuals with complete UCLP included in the Oslo CLP Growth Archive, 80 with a Simonart's band and 177 without. No major differences were detected between individuals with or without Simonart's band, though the presence of a Simonart's band was associated with a larger cranial base angle and a slightly more favorable maxillomandibular relationship. The findings are discussed in relation to embryogenesis, primary surgery, and secondary surgery. It is recommended that cephalometric studies of UCLP involving group comparisons should avoid major imbalance with respect to the proportion of individuals with a Simonart's band at birth.

Effect of muscle exercise with an oral screen on lip function

The study aimed at evaluating how training of the lips with an oral screen affects the strength of the lips and the pressure of the lips on the teeth. In addition, the effect of the treatment with an oral screen on the dentition was studied. The treatment and lip training programme was instituted for 9 months in 16 children, 7-11 years old, with protruding maxillary incisors. The effect on the dentition was studied on dental casts made before and at the end of the treatment, and 5 months thereafter, as well as on lateral cephalograms. The lip strength was recorded with a dynamometer. The pressure from the lips on the upper and lower central incisors at rest, and during chewing and swallowing was measured with an extra-oral pressure transducer incorporated in a water-filled system with an intra-oral measuring point. Measurements of lip strength and pressure were made regularly before and during the treatment, and continued for up to 10 months thereafter. The treatment resulted in a decrease of the overjet and upper dental arch length, but with some relapse after the treatment. The strength of the lips increased during the treatment, but decreased afterwards. The pressure from the lips on the teeth at rest and during swallowing was unaffected by the lip training. The pressure from the lower lip during chewing increased temporarily during the treatment period.

Oral erythema multiforme: clinical observations and treatment of 95 patients

Erythema multiforme is a chronic, inflammatory mucocutaneous disease that can occur in both genders at any age. Although the cause remains obscure, a wide range of antigens and factors, including herpesvirus and other infections, has been suggested as triggering the disease. In the present study of 95 patients, we found that patients with oral involvement alone tend to predominate over those who have oral and lip, or oral, lip, and skin disease. There were also more women than men. Our study further confirmed that erythema multiforme cannot be characterized solely as a disease that is cyclical and self-limiting. The dramatic response to corticosteroids and to the immunoregulating agent levamisole, as well as the fact that patients with erythema multiforme are otherwise essentially healthy, suggests that erythema multiforme may be caused by a transient autoimmune defect, possibly triggered by multiple factors. Because 19 patients with oral candidiasis responded to antifungal therapy, a possible antigenic role for these organisms is suggested.

Rapidly developing, edematous swelling of the upper lip

Clinicians should distinguish between hereditary and non-hereditary angioedema, as management of patients varies significantly with each. As many patients with hereditary angioedema have had serious episodes of edema associated with dental procedures, it is important that dentists understand the nature of this disease and its treatment. The potential for airway obstruction by laryngeal edema requires a knowledge and preparedness for initiation of life-support measures.

Lip function: a study of oral continence

Oral continence is achieved through the harmonious interplay of several factors of which the most important are the lip sensitivity, the strength of the orbicularis oris muscle and the height of the lip curtain. Forty-four persons with varying degrees of oral incontinence and diverse lip disorders were then examined and compared against the normal values. Significantly low values for all three factors found in the orally incontinent patients supported our hypothesis that the normality of these factors is essential for the maintenance of the oral seal. Central causes of dribbling, such as mental retardation and salivary over-secretion, irrespective of etiology, are not considered here.

Effect of lip training in children with short upper lip

The effect of lip training was studied in 15 children with incompetent lips, who were compared with a control group of 10 children who also had incompetent lips. Lip function was evaluated by electromyography of the activity of the lips in resting posture and during swallowing and chewing. The morphology of the dentition, facial skeleton and lips were studied on dental casts and profile radiographs. Lip training was performed for one year and was found to maintain lip function in the test group, in contrast to impairment of lip function in the control group. Lip training favorably influenced lip morphology, increasing the height of both lips and decreasing the interlabial gap. In the control group, the interlabial gap increased. The beneficial effect of the training on the function and morphology of the lips could not be shown to affect tooth position during the one-year study period.