Silverman Sol
Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California San Francisco, S-519B, Box 0422, 521 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, Calif 94143, USA.
J Am Dent Assoc. 2007 Sep;138 Suppl:41S-46S. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2007.0362.
Many oral diseases/conditions associated with aging are complex and can have a significant effect on the quality of life for ambulatory older adults. Among these are oral cancers and premalignant lesions, vesiculoerosive diseases, candidiasis, aphthous ulcers and herpes virus reactivation. The practitioner should establish the diagnosis so that appropriate management can be instituted.
The challenge to the practitioner is to formulate a differential diagnosis from oral mucosal signs and symptoms, arrange tests and referrals as needed, and establish a definitive diagnosis so that appropriate management can be instituted.
Recognition of benign and malignant mucosal lesions will accelerate proper treatment that will help control a variety of oral diseases and conditions. It also will improve the quality of life for many elderly patients who experience associated pain and altered oral functions.
许多与衰老相关的口腔疾病/状况较为复杂，会对能走动的老年人的生活质量产生重大影响。其中包括口腔癌和癌前病变、水疱糜烂性疾病、念珠菌病、阿弗他溃疡以及疱疹病毒再激活。从业者应做出诊断，以便能采取适当的治疗措施。
从业者面临的挑战是根据口腔黏膜的体征和症状进行鉴别诊断，根据需要安排检查和转诊，并做出明确诊断，以便能采取适当的治疗措施。
识别良性和恶性黏膜病变将加速恰当的治疗，有助于控制各种口腔疾病和状况。这也将改善许多伴有疼痛和口腔功能改变的老年患者的生活质量。
