Article
Oral paratrichosis
As dental practitioners, we come across a number of unusual pathologies that can cause diagnostic dilemma and can increase anxiety to the clinician as well as the patient. One such rare presentation is oral paratrichosis. By definition, it denotes the presence of an abnormal hair in an abnormal location. Without doubt, the presence of hair in the oral cavity causes both physical as well as psychological morbidity. The patients may present with excessive gag reflex, food impaction, difficulties in maintaining oral hygiene, as well as embarrassment leading to reduced dental attendances and social anxiety.
Patients who undergo reconstruction of defects after resection of oral cancer with free or pedicled grafts from different areas of the body are frequently prone to these issues (Figure 1). The graft is usually from a hair-bearing area and may be used to reconstruct various areas of the oral cavity. Numerous treatment strategies have been designed to treat paratrichosis, such as laser epilation, mechanical epilation, electrolysis, and even radiotherapy in certain cases. Many surgeons have tried using de-epithelialized skin grafts to remove the skin appendages altogether, with variable results.1,2 Unfortunately, the overall management is sub-optimal.
Dentists should have knowledge of these unusual but benign presentations to allay the anxieties of the patient and to perform appropriate specialist referral, when required.