Masochistic habits in a child patient:A case report and its management

Abstract

This is a case report of diagnosis and management of masochistic habits, a special type of mechanical trauma to the gingival tissue known as self-inflicted lesions, also termed as gingivitis artefacta. Self-inflicted injuries can be premeditated, accidental, or can also result from an uncommon habit. The purpose of this article is to review clinical findings in a 6-year-old female patient who had a habit of left forearm sucking since birth and also presented with a nail-biting habit which caused a gingival stripping on the left buccal surface of maxillary first and second deciduous molars. A full-arm sleeve was advised to be used for habit breaking, selective grinding of cusps was done of lower left first and second deciduous molars, and also topical anesthetic gel was prescribed.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Management of Unusual Bilateral Gingival Recession Due to a Factitious Nail-Scratching Habit: A Case Report

“…It also ensures no recession at the donor site and less flap tension due to the incorporation of cut-back incision [ 8 ]. John et al (2013) reported a case of fingernail biting in a six-year-old female patient which led to gingival striping in maxillary molars, which was managed with habit-breaking appliance and topic anesthetic gel application [ 9 ]. Mostafa et al (2017) reported a similar case of SIB in a 14-year-old female patient, where alloderm was used to treat bilateral gingival recession in the mandibular canine region [ 10 ].…”

Gingivitis artefacta minor secondary to poor endodontic treatment of a primary molar - A case report

“…Many factors should be taken into account before deciding on the ideal treatment protocol to address when confronting gingivitis artefacta minor including; a detailed case history including oral hygiene practices and habits describing the intensity, duration and frequency of the habit, repeated history of similar lesions, and present emotional status of the patient and parents. [13] Masochistic oral injuries can be premeditated or accidental or can result from an uncommon habit. These lesions usually result from an external foreign object or a patient's own fingernail that habitually causes stripping of the gingival tissue in a specific area.…”