Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Other Oral Lesions
Number of Conditions: 4
Fibroma
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders
Sub-category: Other Oral Lesions
Symptoms:
firm, smooth, painless growths in soft tissues; may cause discomfort or functional issues depending on location; typically slow-growing and benign
Root Cause:
Benign proliferation of fibrous connective tissue, often due to chronic irritation or trauma.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination; confirmed with biopsy or histopathological analysis.
Treatment:
Surgical excision is the standard treatment; recurrence is rare.
Medications:
Not typically treated with medications, as fibromas are surgically removed.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Relatively common; exact prevalence varies based on cause and location.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic irritation, trauma, poorly fitting dental appliances (oral fibromas), genetic predisposition (e.g., neurofibromatosis).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with removal; unlikely to recur if the underlying cause is addressed.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare; can interfere with function or aesthetics if untreated.
Fordyce Spots
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders
Sub-category: Other Oral Lesions
Symptoms:
small, raised, pale or white-yellowish spots on the lips, inside the cheeks, or on the genitals; usually asymptomatic; occasionally cause aesthetic concerns or mild irritation
Root Cause:
Enlarged sebaceous glands that occur outside hair follicles and are not associated with hair production.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical observation based on appearance and location; no further tests are typically needed.
Treatment:
Usually not treated unless for cosmetic reasons; options include laser treatments, electrosurgery, or topical retinoids.
Medications:
Topical retinoids (e.g., tretinoin ) may help reduce the visibility of Fordyce spots. These are classified as vitamin A derivatives.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common; affects up to 80% of adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Normal anatomical variation, more noticeable in individuals with lighter skin tones.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Benign and harmless; does not typically require treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rarely, irritation or cosmetic dissatisfaction.
Mucocele
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders
Sub-category: Other Oral Lesions
Symptoms:
soft, bluish, or translucent swelling inside the mouth (usually the lower lip); may fluctuate in size or rupture; painless but can cause discomfort
Root Cause:
Blockage or rupture of a salivary gland duct, leading to mucus retention.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; confirmed by histological analysis after excision.
Treatment:
Surgical removal of the affected gland or marsupialization (drainage procedure).
Medications:
Not typically treated with medications.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, especially in young adults and children.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma to the lips or oral cavity, habits like lip-biting or cheek-chewing.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; recurrence is uncommon after complete removal.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare; recurrence or minor infections post-surgery.
Ranula
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders
Sub-category: Other Oral Lesions
Symptoms:
painless, dome-shaped swelling on the floor of the mouth; bluish or translucent appearance; can interfere with speech, swallowing, or chewing if large
Root Cause:
Mucous retention or extravasation cyst arising from the sublingual gland.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, imaging (e.g., ultrasound or MRI) to assess size and involvement.
Treatment:
Surgical removal of the cyst and sometimes the associated gland.
Medications:
Not typically treated with medications.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Relatively uncommon; more frequent in children and young adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma to the floor of the mouth, salivary gland obstruction.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with complete removal; recurrence is rare if excision is thorough.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare; infection or recurrence if not fully excised.