Habitual biting of oral mucosa: A conservative treatment approach
A 7-year-old boy reported to the department with edematous growth on left side of lower lip. Growth occurred two months prior to presentation to dental clinic. Parents informed that the child had a previous episode of trauma to lower lip after which the growth appeared and started increasing in size over the period of time []. The child was seen biting his lower lip in the region of growth all the time while sitting in the dental chair and parents also confirmed regarding this habit of their child. It was planned to target the habit with habit breaking appliance instead of surgically treating the lesion. Soft polyvinyl sheet of 2 mm thickness (Bioplast® Scheu Dental GmbH Iserlohn Germany) was molded in vacuum formed pressure molding device on the maxillary arch cast (Biostar® Scheu Scheu Dental GmbH Iserlohn Germany). Patient was told to wear the appliance after school hours and even while sleeping []. After 2 weeks of continuous wearing of the appliance, patient presented with progressive regression of the lesion. He was instructed to continue to wear the appliance for 4 more weeks. After 4 weeks, the lesion had completely regressed so the appliance was discontinued and patient was kept under review [].