Oral submucous Fibrosis: An oral physician approach

Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic, insidious disease affecting the oral cavity and sometimes pharynx. Although occasionally preceded and/or associated with vesicle formation, is always associated with juxtaepithelial inflammatory reaction followed by fibro elastic changes in lamina propria with epithelial atrophy leading to stiffness of oral cavity leading to trismus and inability to eat. Although many factors have been elicited and worked upon, no concrete etiology/ pathophysiology has been elicited and thus no effective treatment is available for this progressively disabling condition with high malignant potential and high prevalence in India and South East Asia. Management of OSMF thus postulates major challenge for oral physicians. Current article discusses the various treatment modalities available.