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Lorenzo-Pousa A, Garcia-Garcia A, Perez-Sayans M. Gerodontology 2018; 35: 151–154

Angular cheilitis (AC) is characterised by erythema, crusting and fissures at one or both labial commissures. Frequently associated with loss of occlusal vertical dimension (OVD), it is more prevalent in older patients and is often both painful and unsightly.

This paper reports on the treatment of a refractory case of AC in an 80-year-old male dentate patient with a slight loss of OVD. Treatment from his doctor with antifungals and antibiotics 12 months previously had not been successful. Blood tests and medical history were unremarkable. There was no evidence of intra-oral candidiasis. The patient refused any intervention to increase his OVD on the grounds of both cost and the fact that his dental function was satisfactory.

It was decided to inject hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to lift the perioral tissues and attempt to eliminate the inflamed fissures. The AC resolved immediately and the patient remained pain free and asymptomatic at 12 month review, despite some loss of volume in the treated areas.