As we get older suddenly we realised many things we didn't appreciate about being young - being fit, having smooth skin and having all your own teeth. As our loose teeth (and bridges) struggle to deal with chewier food we start eating bland mush and, there is no easy way to say this, OLD PEOPLE FOOD. I'm determined not to let that happen to me and I'm doing everything I can to keep my own teeth as long as possible, and when that's not possible to get the best possible teeth replacement. If you are like me and want to keep on eating whatever you want, I think you'll like my site. It's all about dental health and teeth replacement & maintenance.
Keeping your teeth young
Epulis Fissuratum: What You Need to Know
Mabel Hicks
If you have just been fitted with dentures, you may not be aware of the potential side effects and condition which can be caused by denture use. One of the lesser known conditions is epulis fissuratum. While epulis fissuratum is a benign condition, it can cause a lot of worry as the symptoms it causes are very similar to those of oral cancer. Below is a brief guide to epulis fissuratum.
What are the signs of epulis fissuratum?
Epulis fissuratum are lesions which appear on the internal tissue of the mouth under or close to where it comes into contact with your dentures. Because the lesions do not contain nerves, they are generally not painful. However, you may notice that the affected area of your mouth becomes red. If left untreated, there is a risk of the lesions becoming ulcerated.
What is the cause of epulis fissuratum?
This condition is not a disease. The lesion is caused by dentures which do not fit properly. This causes irritation to the gums and the lining of the mouth, resulting in uncontrollable cell division.
How can the condition be treated?
Treatment of epulis fissuratum normally consists of two stages. During the first stage, your dentist will inspect your oral health to rule out other causes of the lesions. They will then remove the lesion. This is a fairly straight forward procedure which will be performed by your dentist, who will use one of two methods.
Traditional surgery: Your dentist will use surgical tools to make an incision to cut away the lesion. While this is a speedy operation, it can result in some pain and bleeding during recovery.
Laser surgery: You dentist will use a high-powered dental laser to burn away the lesion. Because the laser also seals the wound, the recovery time is reduced.
If the lesion has become ulcerated, before performing surgery your dentist may prescribe you antibiotics in order to treat the infection.
Once your dentist has removed the lesion, they will carry out the second stage of treatment. If your dentist can identify which part of the denture is causing the lesion, they will reshape it in order to prevent any further irritation of the mouth. However, if the shape of your gums has changed, it may be necessary for the dentist to make a completely new set of dentures.
If you are concerned about your dentures or oral health, you should book an appointment with your dentist.
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