Normal anatomy in oral medicine

Question 1

What are fordyce spots?

Answer 1

found on buccal mucosa and lips
sebaceous glands
appear as yellowish bumps
no associated pathology
in 60-75% of adults

Question 2

Linea Alba features

Answer 2

horizontal asymptomatic white lesion
found along occlusal plane

Question 3

Geographic tongue features

Answer 3

3% population
asymptomatic
- sometimes sensitive to hot and spicy foods and toothpaste
- avoid trigger foods
- use SLS free toothpaste
loss of filiform papilla
- areas of tongue atrophy and hyperkeratinatsion
comes and goes and changes appearance
can affect other areas of oral mucosa
rarely requires further intervention

Question 4

fissured tongue features

Answer 4

variation of normal anatomy
can occur later in life
no treatment is necessary
encourage good oral hygiene
- lightly brushing tongue

Question 5

black hairy tongue features

Answer 5

hyperplasia of filiform papillae
build ip of commensal bacteria and food debris
pigment inducing fungi and bacteria
specific cause unknown: associated with
- smoking
- antibiotics
- chlorhexidine mouthwash
- poor OH

management
- reassure
- smoking cessation
- lightly brush tongue
- eating fresh pineapple

Question 6

desquamative gingivitis features

Answer 6

full thickness erythema of gingiva
not caused by plaque
- but can be exacerbated by it
associated with various conditions

Question 7

bony exostosis features

Answer 7

usually benign overgrowth of calcified bone - can be associated with parafunction
- estimated 30-40% of population have them
can interfere with denture placement
may be more prone to ulceration
worth monitory as can be a manifestation of rare polypopsis syndrome such as Gardener’s syndrome
take photos, study models and x-rays