Abstract
Muscles of mastication are replaced by fibrous tissue in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). Muscular changes, in the form of dystrophy because of muscular over activity is observed in most of the cases of OSMF. One hundred OSMF patients and 25 healthy individuals were included in this study. The patients were categorized into four groups on the basis of mouth opening. For every individual, age, sex, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were documented. Burning sensation, mouth opening, maximum bite force (MBF) was evaluated among study groups and control group. The OSMF individuals were injected with hyaluronidase 1500 IU mixed in 1.5 ml of dexamethasone and 0.5 ml of lignocaine HCL intralesionally twice a week for one month and control subjects were given placebo capsules and all the parameters were revaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student's independent t-test, Analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. No significant difference was observed in mean age, mean height, weight, BMI and the presence of the number of intact teeth between controls and OSMF individuals. A significant decrease in anterior MBF in group III and IV and posterior MBF of both sides in groups II, III and IV was noted. After treatment there was a significant improvement in anterior MBF in group III and posterior MBF in groups II and III OSMF patients. It was concluded that, MBF was reduced in patients with OSMF and it is improved in early and moderate cases after intralesional hyaluronidase and corticosteroid therapy.