Oral Burns Flashcards
What is the main concern with oral electrical burns?
Coagulation necrosis –> scar formation causing significant microstomia
Which 4 demographics are most commonly affected by oral burns
1) 6mo -36mo
2) SHCN children
3) Teenage boys
4) Females just as affected as males
Most common areas affected by burns?
1) Commisure
2) Lateral 1/3 of lip
3) Midline
What is the most important metric for oral burns
1) Midline to commissure ratio (burned/unburned)
2) Always <1.0 after burns
When does the eschar slough and what is the significance of it?
sloughs at 2-3 weeks
risk of significant arterial bleeding
What are complicating factors for oral burns?
1) Limited # of teeth in primary dentition
2) Severe oral burn
Other causes of lip trauma?
1) Chemical Burn
2) Animal attack
Healing process of oral burns
1-3 weeks: pain & eschar slough
3-8 weeks: granulation healing
2-8mo: fibrous tissue, increased scar risk
9-12mo: tissue softens as scar matures
How often does a patient with an oral burn appliance need to be seen?
1x/ month
How soon should the burn patient be seen by the dentist
Between days 5-10
How long should the oral burn appliance be worn for?
24hr/day for 9-12mo
What is the goal of an oral burn appliance?
Prevent tissue cohesion & scar contracture at the commissures
How do you make an oral appliance for a very young patient without primary molars?
Use an extraoral headgear
