title: A standard picture of healthy oral mucosae by direct oral microscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Direct oral microscopy constitutes a novel technique of in vivo oral mucosae examination. The basic principles of this method derive from colposcopy and dermoscopy. The main goal of direct oral microscopy is the earliest possible detection of oral precancerous lesions in order to implement their treatment as quickly as possible and prevent malignant transformation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To establish a standard picture of healthy oral mucosae with direct oral microscopy applying standard colposcopic criteria in order to create a reference point for further diagnosis of precancerous lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients of both genders with clinically unaltered oral mucosae were examined. For every individual, clinical examination with the naked eye was performed, followed by direct oral microscopy with colposcopic assessment criteria. Oral mucosae at various sites (lip, cheek, floor of mouth, ventral and lateral sides of the tongue, alveolar ridge and soft palate) were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subepithelial blood vessel patterns, mucosal surface, colour tone and transparency were described for healthy oral mucosae. Moreover, cases with clinically unaltered oral mucosae where direct oral microscopy revealed subclinical alterations were described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Direct oral microscopy with colposcopic assessment criteria enables establishment of a repeated picture of unaltered oral mucosae. The standard picture of healthy oral mucosae is an essential reference point for application of this technique to early diagnose potentially malignant oral mucosal lesions as well as apply their early treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland. Head: Prof. Adam Włodarkiewicz MD, DMD, PhD ; Department of Otolaryngology, Ward of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Clinical Center, Gdansk, Poland. Head: Prof. Adam Włodarkiewicz MD, DMD, PhD.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Drogoszewska
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chomik
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michcik
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polcyn
keywords: colposcopy; dermoscopy; diagnosis; direct microscopy; oral cavity