Navigating Lichenoid Mucositis - A Deep Dive into Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies (with Dr. Paras Patel)

Beyond dentistry, pathological expertise can be necessary to treat certain oral and maxillofacial conditions. During this episode, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist Dr. Paras Patel joins us to discuss how to diagnose and treat Lichenoid Mucositis. Kicking off our conversation, Dr. Patel defines the diagnosis, before exploring common causes. Next, he unpacks why communicating with a pathologist is key as a dental practitioner and explains why he recommends a two-week washout process. We discuss diagnosis preferences and dive into immediate and ongoing treatment strategies, the role of dermatology, and more. The conversation also touches on anti-inflammatory diets, drug-induced reactions and waiting periods, and much more. Tune in today to hear insights from an expert in dental pathology. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Dr. Paras Patel, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist. 
• His introduction to dentistry with a focus on pathology and clinical disease.
• Defining lichenoid mucositis.
• Common causes of lichenoid mucositis and its relationship with autoimmune disease.
• Why communication with pathologists is key. 
• Recommendations for performing the biopsy. 
• Why it is important to make sure you have an adequate amount of connective tissue.
• When to prepare samples for immunofluorescence.
• Why it is important to have a two-week wash-out process.
• Why Dr. Patel’s preference is to give a definitive diagnosis. 
• How to treat lichenoid mucositis.
• Why he recommends that patients change their visits to three to four times a year. 
• Removing irritations as part of a patient’s prognosis.
• Understanding that dermatology might need to be involved.
• Why it’s important to look for dissimilar areas when you are biopsying a patient. 
• A multi-focal precancerous disease process: pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis.
• The role of an anti-inflammatory diet.
• Drug-induced reactions and the time period necessary for medication to be effective.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Paras Patel — https://www.linkedin.com/in/paras-patel-6023a7a1/

Dr. Paras Patel Email — oraldiagnosticsdfw@gmail.com

Dr. Paras Patel Phone Number — 806-535-5859

ProPath — https://www.propath.com/

Sonic Healthcare — https://www.sonichealthcare.com/

Tom’s of Maine Children’s Silly Strawberry — https://www.tomsofmaine.com/products/oral-care/childrens-toothpaste/silly-strawberry

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ 

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/ 

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059