DABOM key terms

A white, reticular or erosive mucosal change that mimics oral lichen planus but is triggered by an external agent, most often a drug or dental restorative metal. It usually resolves after the cause is removed.

A chronic immune-mediated mucocutaneous disorder producing bilateral white striae, plaques, or erosions, typically on the buccal mucosa. It is treated with topical corticosteroids and carries a small risk of malignant transformation.

Separation of the superficial epithelium from underlying tissue when lateral pressure is applied to intact or perilesional mucosa. A positive sign suggests an autoimmune blistering disease such as pemphigus vulgaris.

An autoimmune disease in which antibodies target desmogleins, causing intraepithelial blisters that rupture easily into painful oral erosions. It often presents in the mouth before skin lesions appear.

A subepithelial autoimmune blistering disease that mainly affects mucosal surfaces, producing tense blisters and desquamative gingivitis. Scarring can lead to conjunctival and airway complications.

A clinical pattern of red, glazed, peeling gingiva that bleeds easily and does not respond to plaque control. It is a presentation, not a diagnosis, and warrants biopsy to exclude lichen planus and blistering disease.

A predominantly white mucosal patch that cannot be rubbed off and cannot be attributed clinically or pathologically to any other disease. It is a diagnosis of exclusion with potential for dysplasia.

A fiery red mucosal patch that cannot be explained by another condition and cannot be rubbed off. It has a higher rate of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ than leukoplakia and needs prompt biopsy.

Disordered maturation and cytological atypia of epithelium, graded mild, moderate, or severe. Grading predicts but does not guarantee progression to carcinoma, and severe dysplasia is managed as high risk.

A collective category of mucosal conditions with a raised likelihood of becoming oral squamous cell carcinoma, including leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. Surveillance and biopsy guide management.

A chronic fibrotic condition of the oral mucosa, strongly linked to areca nut chewing, causing progressive stiffness, restricted mouth opening, and a high risk of squamous cell carcinoma.

The concept that prolonged carcinogen exposure alters wide areas of mucosa, so multiple independent premalignant or malignant lesions can arise in the same region. It explains second primary tumours and guides follow-up.

A system describing tumour size and invasion (T), regional lymph node involvement (N), and distant metastasis (M). Combined with site and histology, it determines prognosis and treatment planning in oral cancer.

A malignant neoplasm of stratified squamous epithelium and the most common oral malignancy. It often presents as an ulcer with indurated, rolled margins, commonly on the lateral tongue or floor of mouth.

A low-grade, slow-growing variant of squamous cell carcinoma with a warty, exophytic surface and broad pushing rete ridges. It rarely metastasises but can invade locally and requires adequate excision.

A developmental cyst with a thin, parakeratinised lining and aggressive local behaviour, notably a tendency to recur and to grow along bone without marked expansion. Multiple lesions raise suspicion of a syndrome.

A benign but locally aggressive epithelial odontogenic tumour, most often in the posterior mandible. It causes expansion and root resorption and is managed with resection to reduce recurrence.

An inherited condition causing multiple odontogenic keratocysts, basal cell carcinomas, and skeletal anomalies. Its recognition matters because jaw cysts are often the presenting feature in young patients.

A neuropathic pain disorder producing brief, electric-shock-like unilateral facial pain in a trigeminal division, often triggered by touch, chewing, or cold air. Carbamazepine is the usual first-line drug.

A group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles, causing pain, limited opening, and joint sounds. Management is usually conservative and reversible.

Repetitive jaw muscle activity involving clenching or grinding, occurring during sleep or wakefulness. It can cause tooth wear, muscle pain, and headaches, and is managed by addressing contributing factors.

Regional muscle pain arising from trigger points, which are tender bands that refer pain on palpation. In the masticatory system it is a common cause of facial pain and limited opening.

A chronic intraoral burning sensation, usually bilateral and on the tongue, without identifiable mucosal or systemic cause. It is often associated with taste change and mood disturbance and requires exclusion of secondary causes.

Pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system, described as burning, shooting, or electric, often with altered sensation. It responds poorly to standard analgesics and better to adjuvants.

The subjective sensation of dry mouth, which may occur with normal or reduced salivary flow. It is a symptom rather than a diagnosis and is common in polypharmacy and autoimmune disease.

Objectively measured reduction in salivary flow, such as unstimulated whole saliva below 0.1 mL per minute. It increases caries, candidiasis, and dysphagia risk and is distinct from the complaint of dry mouth.

Measurement of salivary flow rate, usually by timed collection of unstimulated and stimulated whole or gland-specific saliva. It distinguishes true gland hypofunction from the perception of dryness.

A chronic autoimmune condition targeting exocrine glands, producing dry eyes and mouth, often with fatigue and joint pain. Diagnosis uses symptoms, objective dryness tests, autoantibodies, and labial gland biopsy.

Inflammation of a salivary gland, which may be acute and bacterial, viral such as mumps, or chronic and obstructive. Presentation includes swelling, pain, and sometimes purulent discharge from the duct.

Formation of a calcified stone within a salivary duct or gland, most often the submandibular gland. It causes recurrent meal-time swelling and pain and may require removal or duct clearance.

An opportunistic fungal infection of oral mucosa caused mainly by Candida albicans, presenting as removable white plaques, erythema, or angular cheilitis. It is more frequent with xerostomia, dentures, and immunosuppression.

Inflammation and fissuring at the corners of the mouth, often involving Candida, Staphylococcus aureus, or both. Predisposing factors include reduced vertical dimension, dry mouth, and nutritional deficiency.

A systemic triazole antifungal used for oral candidiasis that is unresponsive to topical agents or occurs in immunocompromised patients. It has significant drug interactions because it inhibits hepatic enzymes.

An anticonvulsant that is first-line therapy for trigeminal neuralgia. It requires monitoring for hyponatraemia, blood dyscrasias, and interactions, and its dose is titrated to symptom control.

Exposed jawbone persisting beyond eight weeks in a patient with current or previous antiresorptive or antiangiogenic therapy, with no history of head and neck radiotherapy. Prevention centres on oral health before treatment.

Bone death in a previously irradiated jaw, presenting as exposed bone that fails to heal without tumour recurrence. Risk rises with radiation dose and is reduced by pre-radiotherapy dental assessment.

The concurrent use of multiple medicines, which raises the risk of interactions and adverse effects. In oral medicine it is a common cause of dry mouth, lichenoid reactions, and mucosal bleeding.

An acute immune-mediated reaction, often triggered by herpes simplex, producing target skin lesions and oral erosions. Severe mucosal involvement without skin lesions is termed erythema multiforme major.

A severe mucocutaneous reaction, usually drug-induced, causing widespread epidermal detachment, oral and ocular erosions, and systemic illness. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate withdrawal of the culprit drug.