Treatment of Morsicatio Buccarum by Oral Appliance: Case Report

Morsicatio buccarum is a condition caused by chronic cheek biting. It means frictional hy-perkeratosis by repetitive cheek biting, which may be associated with obsessive compulsion. Clinically it presents as rough, shaggy, whitish, often peeling surface. We report a 9-year-old female patient who complained oral ulceration on both buccal mucosa. The initial diagnosis was oral candidiasis because of whitish plaques which were peeled off. Topical antifungal agent was ineffective and the symptom did not disappear. By incisional biopsy, she was diagnosed with morsicatio buccarum. A soft oral appliance was placed in the patient’s oral cavity. Although morsicatio buccarum improved significantly when the appliance was used, the oral lesion had a tendency to recur, when the patient stopped using the appliance. In case of recurrence, cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder is needed for the fundamental treatment.