Abrasion
An abrasion is a wound caused by friction between an object and the surface of the soft tissue, This wound is , usually superficial, denudes the epithelium, and occasionally involves deeper layers, Because abrasions involve the
terminal endings of many nerve fibers, they are quite painful. Bleeding is usually minor, because it is capillary in nature and responds well to application of gentle pressure.
The dentist may see abrasions on the tip of the nose, lips, cheeks, and chin in ‘patients who have sustained dentoa1veolar trauma (fig, 23-1). The abraded areas should be thoroughly cleansed to remove foreign material.
Surgical hand soap and copious saline irrigation is useful for this purpose. All particles of forC’lgl) matter must be removed. If these particles are allowed to remain within within that is difficult to treat w ill result. In deep abravions that are contaminated with dirt or other material, it may be necessary to anesthetize the area and.use a surgical scrub brush tor toothbrush) to remove the debris completely.
injuries.
tissue (e.g., a scab). The eschar will then drop off. If a deep abrasion on the skin surface is discovered after wound cleansing, referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is indlcated- because skin grafting may be
necessary to prevent excessive amounts of scar formation.
