Oral Fibrosis
Oral sub mucous fibrosis is a chronic, complex, premalignant (1% transformation risk) state of the oral cavity, characterized by juxta-epithelial inflammatory reply and progressive fibrosis of the sub mucous tissues (the lamina propria and deeper connective tissues). Oral sub mucous fibrosis affect the oral tissue of the buccal mucosa, lips, soft palate, and intermittently the pharynx. The tissue is symmetrically affected Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a premalignant condition mainly associated with the practice of chewing betel quid containing areca nut, a habit common among south Asian people. It is characterized by inflammation, increased deposition of submucosal collagen, and formation of fibrotic bands in the oral and paraoral tissues, which increasingly limit mouth opening. In this paper, we review literature on OSF and the different stages of the disease to help dentists make an early diagnosis and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. ...