[Selfinduced gingival mutilations--a diagnostic and therapeutic problem]

A case of factitial gingival traumatism and trichotillomania in a hysteric 28-year-old female patient is reported. During a period of 31 months the patient presented with gingival necrosis which involved the lingual aspects of all four quadrants respectively. A wide range of diagnostical aids failed to enlighten the nature of the lesions until the patient developed an alopecia capitis which was typical for hysteric trichotillomania. The diagnostical and therapeutical aspects of selfmutilation in hysteria are discussed.