Innocuous presentation of ameloblastic carcinoma

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare malignant odontogenic neoplasm that exhibits diverse clinical and radiological presentations. In fact there are several differential diagnoses during histopathological evaluation too. Lack of adequate reports could not establish the predominant demographic, clinical and radiological presentations. For the same reasons, the role of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy is also unsubstantiated yet. This case discusses the innocuous clinical and radiological presentation of ameloblastic carcinoma in a 55-year-old man where the diagnostic confirmation was achieved through histopathological evaluation. The differential diagnoses, treatment and follow-up details of this case are discussed in light of the previous published case reports and systematic reviews of case reports in an attempt to increase the sensitisation among dentists towards ameloblastic carcinoma.

Aesthetic root coverage with acellular dermal matrix allograft: a shield for gingival recession

Awareness about root coverage is increasing in day-to-day clinical practice. Patients are more motivated and concerned about aesthetics nowadays along with the issues of sensitivity of teeth. The conventional flap designs and techniques including lateral sliding flaps, coronally advanced flap, subepithelial connective tissue grafts and free gingival grafts are being adopted for root coverage. The newer material including resorbable and non-resorbable guided tissue regenerative membranes, amniotic membrane, platelet-rich fibrin membrane, enamel matrix derivative protein, xenogenic collagen matrix graft along with the soft tissue substitute like acellular dermal matrix allograft are also being used for recession coverage. The present case report describes a case of 22-year-old female patient with the chief complaint of denudation of gums exposing the root surface over the mandibular left central incisor. The soft tissue substitute acellular dermal matrix allograft was used for root coverage as the patient was not willing to procure an autogenous palatal graft. The results were satisfactory with complete root coverage.

Extraarticular joint ankylosis: a rare presentation

Pseudoankylosis is a rare condition that causes inability to open the mouth due to condition related to outside of the temporomandibular joint. Most literature refers to this hypomobility disorder, a result of fusion of the zygomatic bone to the coronoid process, and very rarely is insidious coronoid hyperplasia causing mechanical interference with the posterior maxilla has been reported. We present a case of a 45-year-old woman, who presented with coronoid malformation and overgrowth resulting in progressive decrease in mouth opening. She was managed with coronoidectomy, following which good mouth opening was obtained. In this paper we discuss about the diagnosis and management of this rare disorder.

Jaw involvement in Gaucher disease: a not-so-uncommon feature of a rare disease

Gaucher disease is an inborn error of metabolism resulting from the deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase and consequent accumulation of glucocerebroside within the lysosomes of macrophages. The clinical presentation is very diverse, depending on the age of onset and the severity of the disease, and results from the progressive infiltration of lipid-laden cells in various organs. Common manifestations of Gaucher disease include enlarged liver and/or spleen (hepatosplenomegaly), bone marrow disease (pancytopenia) and bone abnormalities, which are extremely variable and can affect multiple skeletal sites. While bone involvement of long bones and vertebrae is a well-recognised feature of Gaucher disease, jawbone involvement is less commonly noted. Here, we describe a case of a 63-year-old patient with type 1 Gaucher disease with a history of long-term use of bisphosphonates and who had presented with dental pain, with subsequent investigations confirming the radiological features of jaw involvement in Gaucher disease, including periodontal disease.

Accidentally lodged airgun pellet in maxilla during childhood play retrieved surgically after a decade

Non-powder firearm-related injuries to the head and neck carry the potential risk of significant morbidity and mortality. Such penetrating injuries tend to be under-reported and trivialised especially in children. Air gun pellet injury may cause damage to both soft tissue and bone. Some metals, when embedded in body tissue, can evoke a foreign body reaction or release toxins over time. It therefore becomes imperative to retrieve these pellets. We present one such case of accidental lodgement of airgun pellet in the right maxilla of a 12-year-old boy during childhood play with an airgun which went unnoticed at that time and was surgically retrieved after a decade. The patient had not suffered from any neurosensory deficit.

Human amniotic membrane as therapeutic agent in pulpotomy of permanent molars

A 22-year-old woman reported with a cariously exposed mandibular molar. Pulpotomy was planned rather than routine root canal treatment, which was otherwise indicated. Amniotic membrane (AM) that has been extensively researched in different fields of medicine was used as the pulpotomy agent. After gaining coronal access to the root orifices, bleeding was arrested and activated AM was placed over the root stumps. Glass ionomer cement(GIC) was placed over the membrane and temporary restoration was done. One week later, permanent restoration with composite resin was done. The patient's symptoms resolved, and the tooth started responding normally to vitality tests at subsequent follow-ups. The present case report is an attempt to use human AM as a natural pulpotomy agent for treating irreversible pulpitis in permanent teeth. Understanding of innumerable beneficial properties of the AM and its application in preserving vitality of permanent teeth is the main learning objective.

Conservative management of long-standing traumatised maxillary central incisor with incomplete apex and severe internal resorption using triple antibiotic paste, mineral trioxide aggregate and fiber-reinforced composite

Traumatic dental injuries result in damage to many dental and periradicular structures. They can be conservatively managed depending on the extent of the injury. Maxillary central incisors are most commonly involved in traumatic dental injuries mainly because of their anterior and protrusive positioning. The treatment of immature permanent teeth with severe internal resorption poses a lot of challenges to the clinician. The objective of the present article is to report successful management of traumatised maxillary central incisor with incomplete root formation and severe internal resorption in a 10-year-old boy using triple antibiotic paste, mineral trioxide aggregate and fibre-reinforced composite.

Odontogenic choristoma embedded in the cheek of an old patient

Odontogenic choristomas are a rare and recently classified entity, defined as neoplasms containing tissues of odontogenic derivation, found in abnormal locations and usually diagnosed in the early age. The authors report a unique case of a 79-year-old patient who presented to our attention for a skin lesion in the right cheek with no history of trauma or recent dental procedures, that underneath presented an indolent tooth-like structure inside the soft tissue of the right cheek, which at the histological study resulted to be an odontogenic choristoma. This rare histopathological diagnosis should be considered when a hard lesion is present in the head and neck region.

Subcutaneous facial emphysema secondary to a dental procedure

Subcutaneous emphysema is a possible but infrequent consequence of dental procedures. We present the case of a 6-year-old healthy boy transferred from a dental clinic immediately after local anaesthesia for tooth extraction, due to sudden orbital and facial swelling. On physical examination, oedema of the left upper eyelid with fine crepitus on palpation and left hemiface oedema with local pain were observed. Ophthalmologic observation was normal. CT scan of the face and orbits documented extensive infiltration of the subcutaneous tissue planes of the left face by air, with extension to the external part of the body of the mandible, retromaxillary fat, masticatory muscle spaces, parapharyngeal space and adjacent to the orbital roof. After completing initial evaluation, the dentist confirmed the use of an air-driven device during local anaesthesia administration. The patient improved with conservative treatment. Early recognition of this condition is essential to provide an adequate clinical assessment with exclusion of possible life-threatening complications.

Mandibular osteoma as a cause of ankylosis and progressive trismus

Osteomas are benign tumours of bone tissue restricted to the craniofacial skeleton. The aim of this article is to present and discuss the demographic and clinical aspects and the management of craniomaxillofacial osteomas. When the patient was submitted from primary care to our hospital, he was 68 years old, and he had ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint for the previos 4 years. A CT scan was performed, finding a giant mandibular osteoma. Conservative treatment and radiological follow-up were carried out with clinical stability. Osteomas more often are seen in the paranasal sinuses and in young adults, with no differences in gender. Most are asymptomatic, but they can cause local problems. For its diagnosis, CT is usually performed. Treatment options are conservative management and follow-up or surgery. Although rarely, they can recur. Mandibular peripheral osteoma is a rare entity. Depending on the symptoms, a conservative or surgical treatment can be chosen. A clinical and radiological follow-up is necessary to detect possible recurrences or enlargement.

Non-syndromic double upper lip with triple frena: cosmetic cheiloplasty

Double lip or macrocheilitis is a rare facial anomaly, mostly congenital in origin. It commonly involves the upper lip than the lower lip. It may occur in isolation or as part of the Ascher's syndrome. It results due to deposition of excessive areolar tissue and non-inflammatory hyperplasia of labial mucosa gland of pars villosa. It may be acquired as a result of injury to the lips or lip-biting habit. The double lip becomes conspicuous when the lips are retracted during smiling resulting in the characteristic 'cupid's bow' appearance. This disfigurement can pose aesthetic and functional problems and may result in psychological distress. A surgical intervention is must for restoration of functions and to address the aesthetic concerns. The present article reports a case of non-syndromic double upper lip with triple labial frena and its surgical management with laser on one side and with scalpel on the other side.

Giant ossifying fibroma of the maxilla: an unusually aggressive presentation in a 21-year-old woman

We present a rare case of a huge aggressive ossifying fibroma of the maxilla in a 21-year-old female patient with involvement of the maxillary antrum, nasal cavity, orbit and the ethmoid sinus with a unique radiologic appearance for documentation.

Unusual presentation of granular cell tumour of buccal mucosa

Granular cell tumour (GCT) is a rare soft tissue lesion which many consider to have malignant potential of yet unknown aetiopathogenesis. Oral GCT lesions may occur in an area of leucoplakia and are predominantly present on the tongue. This case study highlights an uncommon presentation of this condition located on the buccal mucosa and illustrates the need for meticulous evaluation of suspicious lesions. Due to the malignant risk associated with GCT lesions, it is important to make the correct diagnosis and ensure complete surgical excision for these cases. Ongoing long-term follow-up is also indicated to monitor for recurrence or malignancy.

Multidisciplinary management of temporomandibular joint ankylosis in an adult: journey from arthroplasty to oral rehabilitation

Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint is a debilitating condition resulting in progressive trismus and facial disfigurement. Common trigger factors include paediatric mandibular trauma, middle ear infection or traumatic childbirth. Although diminishing in incidence among urban population, it is still prevalent in the underprivileged world. Substandard child safety norms, delayed presentation, lack of access to specialties like maxillofacial surgery in rural areas and absence of follow-up contribute to ankylosis. Afflictions in ankylosis are multipronged, involving aesthetic, functional, psychological and nutritional implications to name a few. The damage this pathology causes to the young mind and their morale is humongous. Although well documented, a complete presentation of cases with follow-up till oral and myofascial rehabilitation is seldom reported. This paper describes multidisciplinary management of a young female patient with temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Staged management commencing from interpositional arthroplasty until dental restoration with a 2-year follow-up is presented in this paper.

Canalicular adenoma: palatal presentation of an uncommon lesion

Canalicular adenoma is a unique, rare, benign salivary gland neoplasm whose reported prevalence varies in different studies. According to literature, this neoplasm has a marked predilection to occur in the upper lip of elderly women. Histological features are usually distinctive and diagnostic. This neoplasm has good prognosis after conservative surgical management but the propensity of multifocal nature and recurrence of this lesion mandates regular follow-up. This case report illustrates the case of a canalicular adenoma in the palate in a 71-year-old male patient. Here, we discuss the differential diagnosis with a brief review of literature.

Uncontrolled bleeding during tooth extraction from an undiagnosed arteriovenous malformation

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare congenital disorders of vascular morphogenesis. These lesions are characterised by high vascular flow with risk of severe bleeding from accidental trauma or surgical manipulation. Although infrequent, potentially life-threatening and fatal oral bleeding has been reported during extraction of tooth associated with AVM. This paper presents a case of uncontrolled bleeding in an adult female patient undergoing mandibular anterior tooth extraction. The bleeding was related to undiagnosed soft tissue AVM in gingivobuccal space. Management of the case with review of previously reported similar cases is presented.

Case of labial sclerosing polycystic adenoma with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

Minor salivary gland tumours are enigmatic in their behaviour and presentations. Histopathological diagnosis of these tumours encompasses a large spectrum. Conventionally, small nodular tumours of the upper lip or the labial mucosa are generally adenomas, frequently pleomorphic adenomas. Here, we describe a case of a solitary nodular tumour, occurring in the upper labial mucosa, diagnosed as sclerosing polycystic adenoma (SPA) with intraductal epithelial proliferation of high grade. This is a rare lesion, which has entered into the category of salivary gland tumours recently in the 2017 WHO categorisation. We report a case of paucicystic SPA with intraductal epithelial proliferations in the labial minor salivary gland of a 56-year-old woman, which might be the first report of a case occurring in the upper labial mucosa.

Accidental avulsion of a recently traumatised maxillary anterior tooth during rubber dam application

Avulsion injuries are usually seen in the anterior maxillary teeth as a result of trauma. Avulsion as an endodontic mishap is extremely rare. This report highlights an unusual instance of exarticulation of a recently traumatised maxillary central incisor tooth when the rubber dam was applied during a routine non-surgical endodontic procedure. The tooth was immediately repositioned and stabilised with wire composite splint. Endodontic treatment was initiated after rubber dam isolation with a modified technique. Calcium hydroxide was used as intracanal medicament dressing, and obturation was done after 2 weeks. The treatment was successful with uneventful periodontal healing at 24-month follow-up. The presence of well-demarcated periodontal ligament space and absence of any resorptive area on the radiograph could be defined as a successful outcome for the present case.