Speech and mastication difficulties following treatment by a 'street dentist': A case of oral lipoma

In this report, we present the case of a 68-year-old male patient with a complaint of mastication and speech limitations one year after the prescription of a fixed bridge and the construction of "connected" crowns by a "street dentist." A thorough oral examination revealed a multilobulated swelling in the right buccal mucosa that extended to the buccal sulcus. The lesion, which was first noticed as a small, asymptomatic swelling by the patient one year prior, seemed to have undergone enlargement since the prostheses were prescribed. The lesion was completely removed via surgical excision under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination of the excisional mass revealed mature adipocytes and features consistent with conventional or classic lipoma. This case highlights the importance of receiving dental treatment from a qualified professional, whose responsibilities include performing a thorough examination of the oral cavity during treatment planning and delivery, review appointments, and regular dental visits. Such investigation is important to allow for early disease detection and control, especially for patients with complex treatment needs as well as those who may present with asymptomatic and slow-growing lesions such as lipomas.