Case Report: Management of self-injurious habit in a pediatric patient using soft splint

Abstract

Mouth ulcer is a common clinical manifestation of the oral cavity that occurs in the oral mucosa and is usually associated with a variety of causes and diseases. This type of habitual injury in children is transient and tends to worsen over time. Various treatment options have been implemented, therefore in this case, the treatment of cheek biting was performed using palliative therapy in conjunction with a soft occlusal splint in a 9-year-old child. The treatment plan involved a soft occlusal splint along with antibiotic coverage and multivitamin therapy. After 1 month follow-up complete healing of the ulcer was seen. This case presented a conservative treatment approach for repeated cheek biting without harm to the tooth structure. Early detection of lesions and identification of risk factors allows for a more conservative clinical approach. It is preferable to rule out the cause behind the lesion and accordingly plan the treatment which fits the patient's needs.