Oral self-injury. An update

Abstract

Background: Self-inflicted oral injuries of organic origin are particularly common in certain diseases, syndromes, and systemic disorders. In this article, we discuss the characteristics of these oral lesions and their treatment. Literature Search: The authors have reviewed the most relevant literature relating to oral self-injury through a search in textbooks and published articles included in the Medline database for the years 1970-2010, and selected published cases from the last two decades. Results: The majority of the literature on oral self-injury is in the form of case reports. Self-injury is particularly prevalent in patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, a heterogeneous group of neurological disorders, congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis, and mental retardation. It is most common in males in the early years of life, and the sites most frequently involved are the lower lip and the tongue. Therapeutic approaches in these patients have included psychological and pharmacological treatment, intraoral devices, and surgical procedures. Clinical Implications: Intraoral devices are the best therapeutic option for self-injury of organic origin, although this approach is not free of complications. The current lack of standardized treatment protocols for oral self-injury means that therapy must be individualized. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.