Laser Excision Of Submucous Fibrosis:

Lasers can be employed as a substitute for surgical fibrotomy in OSMF due to their numerous benefits over existing procedures. They can give a bloodless surgical region due to reduced bleeding, are less invasive, and have a lower risk of post-operative fibrosis in the surgical area.

OSMF is an oral precancerous disease characterised by inflammation and increasing fibrosis of the submucosal tissues, resulting in significant stiffness and trismus.

Disease Overview:

Oral submucous fibrosis

Oral submucous fibrosis is a devastating chronic oral illness marked by inflammation and increasing fibrosis of the submucosal tissues (lamina propria and deeper connective tissues). Oral submucous fibrosis causes a lot of stiffness and eventually makes it impossible to open your mouth.

Disease Signs and Symptoms:

The following are some of the signs and symptoms of oral submucous fibrosis:

• Oral fibrosis and scarring cause a progressive inability to expand the mouth (trismus).
• When eating spicy meals, you may experience pain and a burning feeling in your mouth.
• Salivation has increased.
• Gustatory sensations change.
• Hearing loss owing to stenosis of the eustachian tubes.

Disease Causes:

India, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific Islands, and South Africa are the most common locations. Betel is taken by almost 600 million people globally, making it the fourth most popular substance after nicotine, ethanol, and caffeine. The practise is widespread in South Asia and South Africa, and it is gaining popularity in the Western world. The areca nut (Areca catechu), the fresh leaf of the betel pepper (Piper betel), spices, and calcium hydroxide make up betel (lime). In South Asia, areca nut mixes such as pan, mawa, and gutka are particularly popular. Mawa is a tobacco, lime, and areca nut concoction.

In India, the prevalence percentage ranges from 0.2 to 10.9 percent. There will very certainly be an increase in the prevalence of OSMF as the usage of chewing tobacco containing areca nut rises. Males are more likely to develop oral submucous fibrosis, which peaks in the third decade of life. The buccal mucosa is the most commonly afflicted area, followed by the palate.

Disease Diagnosis:

OSF is a clinical diagnosis with histopathological confirmation. Hypovascularity causes oral mucosa blanching, tooth and gingiva discoloration, and trismus.

Disease Treatment:

Your doctor will advise you to following lifestyle changes

• Avoid Chewing areca nut (also known as betel nut) and tobacco
• Spicy foods, such as chilies, should be consumed in moderation.
• Taking care of your teeth and gums.
• Including foods high in vitamins A, B complex, C, and iron in the diet.
• Avoiding hot beverages such as tea and coffee.
• Forgoing alcohol.

Surgery

Lasers can be employed as a substitute for surgical fibrotomy in OSMF due to their numerous benefits over existing procedures. They can give a bloodless surgical region due to reduced bleeding, are less invasive, and have a lower risk of post-operative fibrosis in the surgical area.