Successful prevention of oral self-mutilation using a lip guard: A case report

Abstract

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is causing deliberate harm to the body without suicidal intent; this problem occurs in a number of psychiatric, behavioral, and developmental disorders. This report describes the case of a girl, aged 19 months, whose lower lip injuries due to SIB were successfully treated through the use a combination of extraoral and intraoral prostheses. A custom-made lip guard with a custom-made adjustable head strap was effective in the management of the lip trauma. SIB was prevented and there was no recurrence even at the 17-month follow-up appointment. © 2011 Special Care Dentistry Association and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.