Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2018 02 18feb22bcpath34t
Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2018 02 18feb22bcpath34t
Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2018 02 18feb22bcpath34t
Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2018 02 18feb22bcpath34t
Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2018 02 18feb22bcpath34t

Breakthrough Clinical oral pathology case: No. 34

Feb. 20, 2018
A 16-year-old patient presents with multiple, red-bordered white lesions scattered throughout his oral cavity. He said he had his wisdom teeth removed five days ago, and now he can't eat and it hurts to swallow. Learn more from the clinical exam and photos for this month's oral pathology case.
Stacey L. Simmons, DDS, Editorial Director of DE's Breakthrough Clinical e-newsletter
A 16-year-old patient presents with multiple, red-bordered white lesions scattered throughout his oral cavity. He said he had his wisdom teeth removed five days ago, and now he can't eat and it hurts to swallow. Learn more from the clinical exam and photos for this month's oral pathology case.

Editor's note: This article first appeared in DE's Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS, the clinical specialties newsletter created just for dentists. Browse our newsletter archives to find out more and subscribe here.


Presentation and chief complaint

A healthy 16-year-old male presents with this chief complaint:

I got my wisdom teeth out five days ago, and I can’t eat or swallow; it hurts. I have bumps all over in my mouth.


Clinical exam

Clinical assessment reveals multiple white lesions with red borders salt-and-peppered in a generalized fashion throughout the entire oral cavity. The gum tissues are swollen and any light palpation/touching of the lesions results in bleeding and pain. See clinical photos below.

What are your differentials and recommended course of treatment for this patient? Send your answers to [email protected]. Next month, we will present the final diagnosis and recommended treatment for this case.

CALL FOR PATHOLOGY CASES:

Do you have an interesting oral pathology case you would like to share with Breakthrough’s readers? If so, submit a clinical radiograph or high-resolution photograph, a patient history, diagnosis, and treatment rendered to [email protected].

Editor's note: This article first appeared in DE's Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS, the clinical specialties newsletter created just for dentists. Browse our newsletter archives to find out more and subscribe here.


For more oral pathology articles, click here.

Stacey L. Simmons, DDS, is in private practice in Hamilton, Montana. She is a graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry. Dr. Simmons is a guest lecturer at the University of Montana in the Anatomy and Physiology Department. She is the editorial director of PennWell’s clinical dental specialties newsletter, DE’s Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS, and a contributing author for DentistryIQ, Perio-Implant Advisory, and Dental Economics. Dr. Simmons can be reached at [email protected].
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