Letters to the Editor

A 44-year-old male patient was referred to the oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) unit by his general dental practitioner on an urgent basis in relation to a non-resolving, persistent white lesion in the lingual sulcus, adjacent to the lower left second premolar/lower left first molar, which was noticed at a routine dental check-up.

The patient was medically fit and well, with no known drug allergies. He was moderately active and worked a job that required a moderate level of baseline fitness. He reported an alcohol intake of around 8–12 units weekly. He had stopped smoking around 14 years previously, having been smoking around 10–12 cigarettes daily for 15 years.

Although not actively smoking, the patient reported craving a cigarette upon consuming alcohol. To overcome this, he would use nicotine lozenges in either a 2- or 4-mg strength. An extra-oral examination was carried out, which was unremarkable, and intra-orally the soft tissues and dentition appeared sound. The lesion had disappeared.