Oral Medicine — Update for the dental practitioner - Disorders of orofacial sensation and movement

Key Points

• Most cases of altered sensation are related to trauma.

• Facial palsy is often due to Bell's palsy.

• However, many disorders of orofacial sensation and movement can be an indicator of serious underlying disease.

Key Points

Oral medicine

• 1 Aphthous and other common ulcers

• 2 Mouth ulcers of more serious connotation

• 3 Dry mouth and disorders of salivation

• 4 Oral malodour

• 5 Oral white patches

• 6 Oral red and hyperpigmented patches

• 7 Orofacial sensation and movement

• 8 Orofacial swellings and lumps

• 9 Oral cancer

• 10 Orofacial pain

Abstract

This series provides an overview of current thinking in the more relevant areas of oral medicine for primary care practitioners, written by the authors while they were holding the Presidencies of the European Association for Oral Medicine and the British Society for Oral Medicine, respectively. A book containing additional material will be published. The series gives the detail necessary to assist the primary dental clinical team caring for patients with oral complaints that may be seen in general dental practice. Space precludes inclusion of illustrations of uncommon or rare disorders, or discussion of disorders affecting the hard tissues. Approaching the subject mainly by the symptomatic approach — as it largely relates to the presenting complaint — was considered to be a more helpful approach for GDPs rather than taking a diagnostic category approach. The clinical aspects of the relevant disorders are discussed, including a brief overview of the aetiology, detail on the clinical features and how the diagnosis is made. Guidance on management and when to refer is also provided, along with relevant websites which offer further detail.

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