Novel physiotherapy appliance in the management of oral submucous fibrosis

Abstract

Background: Limitation of mouth opening is one of the most common sequelae of various pathological processes leading to compromised nutritional state in addition to physical and psychological disabilities. OSMF is one such condition with severe trismus, debilitment, and an increased risk for malignancy. Methodology: This prospective clinical study describes the fabrication and use of a new functional appliance known as Shekar's appliance. Three OSMF patients were selected and enrolled in the study and appliance was fabricated. Assisted supervised oral physiotherapy session was performed with the appliance. Result: Excellent improvement in mouth opening was observed in all the three patients treated with the appliance. The mean increase in mouth opening was recorded as 8.6 mm. Conclusion: Oral physiotherapy induces tissue remodeling in OSMF to increase mouth opening.

Keywords

• mouth exercising device
• oral physiotherapy
• oral sub mucous fibrosis
• shekar's appliance
• trismus