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Microstomia
Related Subjects: |Macroglossia |Microstomia |Glossitis |Medical Teeth |Gum hypertrophy |Angular Stomatitis - Cheilitis |Oral Aphthous Ulcers |Oral Leukoplakia
👄 About
- Microstomia = abnormally small mouth opening, affecting function (speech, feeding, dental care) and appearance.
🧪 Aetiology
- Caused by scarring, fibrosis, or congenital abnormalities of the lips, mucosa, or orbicularis oris muscle.
📌 Causes
- 🧬 Congenital: Freeman–Sheldon syndrome (“whistling face”), occasionally Down’s syndrome.
- 🌍 Systemic disease: Systemic sclerosis / CREST → fibrotic “purse-string” mouth.
- 🔥 Trauma/Burns: Electrical, thermal, or chemical injury causing perioral scarring.
- 🩸 Epidermolysis bullosa: Fragile skin/mucosa → recurrent blistering → scarring.
🧠 Clinical Features
- Reduced oral access → difficult dental treatment & hygiene.
- Speech impairment due to restricted lip movement.
- Feeding challenges, though often manageable with adaptive techniques.
- Psychological/aesthetic concerns, especially in children and young adults.
🛠️ Management
- 🤸 Conservative: Early stretching exercises, mouth splints, physiotherapy to maintain oral aperture.
- 🔪 Surgical: Z-plasty, commissurotomy, or grafting in severe scarring to enlarge mouth opening.
- 👥 Multidisciplinary care: Dentists, plastic/maxillofacial surgeons, and speech therapists often required.
🌟 Teaching Pearl
- 💡 In systemic sclerosis, microstomia with a tight perioral “purse-string mouth” is a classic finding and a favourite exam image.
📚 References
- Kumar, V., Abbas, A.K., & Aster, J.C. (2020). Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease (10th ed.).
- American Dental Association (ADA). Systemic Health and Oral Health
- Mayo Clinic. Dental Health and Systemic Diseases
- World Health Organization (WHO). Oral Health
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
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