Desquamative gingivitis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Desquamative gingivitis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | DG |
| Specialty | Periodontology  |
Desquamative gingivitis is an erythematous (red), desquamatous (shedding) and ulcerated appearance of the gums.[1] It is a descriptive term and can be caused by several different disorders.[2]
Desquamative gingivitis involves lesions of the free and attached gingiva. Unlike plaque-induced inflammation of the gums (normal marginal gingivitis), desquamative gingivitis extends beyond the marginal gingiva, involving the full width of the gingiva and sometimes the alveolar mucosa.[3] The term "full width gingivitis" usually refers to the oral lesions of orofacial granulomatosis however.[4] The color is another dissimilarity between typical marginal gingivitis and desquamative gingivitis, in the latter it is dusky red.[3] Plasma cell gingivitis is another form of gingivitis which affects both the attached and free gingiva.[1]
Cause
Caused by various autoimmune diseases as well as allergies. Erosive lichen planus, mucous membrane pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, erythema exsudativum multiforme and lupus erythematosus.
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
Desquamative gingivitis is a descriptive clinical term, not a diagnosis.[1] Dermatologic conditions cause about 75% of cases of desquamative gingivitis, and over 95% of the dermatologic cases are accounted for by either oral lichen planus or cicatricial pemphigoid.[1] The exact cause of desquamative gingivitis cannot be determined about a third of cases.[1]
- Oral lichen planus[1]
- Cicatricial pemphigoid[1] or less commonly bullous pemphigoid[1]
- Pemphigus vulgaris[1]
- Linear immunoglobulin A disease[1]
- Dermatitis herpetiformis[1]
- Lupus erythematosus[1]
- Chronic ulcerative stomatitis[1]
- Chronic bacterial, fungal, and viral infections[1]
- Reactions to medications, mouthwashes, and chewing gum[1]
Rare causes include:
- Crohn's disease[1]
- Sarcoidosis[1]
- Leukemia[1]
- factitious (self inflicted) lesions[1]
- Squamous cell carcinoma (can be mistaken for desquamative gingivitis)[1]
Treatment
- Improving oral hygiene
- Minimising irritation of the lesions
- Specific therapies for the underlying disease (where available)
- Local or systemic immunosuppressive or dapsone therapy (notably not corticosteroids)