Role of Orthopantomogram as an Invaluable Diagnostic Aid for Satisfactory Evaluation of Elongated Styloid Process: A Review of Literature

Abstract

cessation of habit but becomes gradually progressive adversely affecting the quality of life of the individual. 6 Over and above that, chewing betel quid containing tobacco is a prime risk factor for occurrence of oral carcinoma, which is reflected by the fact that a patient having OSMF is 19.1 times more likely to be diagnosed with oral malignancy than the normal counterpart. 1,7,8 Hence, it becomes pivotal to emphasize the significance of prevention to combat its potentially malignant nature and silent BackgroundWith approximately 600 million people around the world actively engaged in the daily consumption of betel nut in its various formations, it is not surprising that betel nut is the fourth most consumed drug in the world. 1 The chewing of betel quid is accomplished by inserting a mixture of areca nut, slaked lime, catechu, and other condiments wrapped in a betel leaf in the buccal vestibule for 15 minutes to 1 hour and repeated five to six times a day. Owing to the continuous contact of the mixture with oral mucosa, the alkaloids and flavonoids become a source of constant irritation leading to chronic inflammation as the habit becomes persistent. 2 In conjunction to this juxtaepithelial inflammatory reaction, arecaidine and tannin present in the betel nut mixture increase the cross-linking of the fibers and obstruct collagenase activity leading to fibrosis and accompanying trismus. [2][3][4] This insidious, chronic, scarring condition, seen predominantly across the South Asian population is labeled as oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF).Reportedly, trismus is the primary cause of clinical presentation in 37.2-90.8% of the patients, but other symptoms such as burning sensations, recurrent ulcerations, and excessive salivation are also manifested in 14.2-25.9% of the patients. 1,5 Also alarmingly, more than often the subjects are younger, have shorter history of usage of tobacco products, and the disease process does not reverse on