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.

What causes desquamative gingivitis?

Gingival desquamation may be the result of various disease processes in gingiva. Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), oral lichen planus and pemphigus vulgaris accounts for the major causes of gingival desquamation. MMP is a rare, chronic autoimmune blistering disorder characterized by subepithelial bullae.

Can desquamative gingivitis be cured?

Despite the availability of many therapeutic agents that claim to reduce severity, no intervention that is completely successful for treatment of desquamative gingivitis exists. The gingival lesions are usually treated by improved oral hygiene measures and occlusive topical and systemic corticosteroid therapy.

How is desquamative gingivitis diagnosed?

In the majority of cases, a patient with desquamative gingivitis will likely be diagnosed with erosive lichen planus, mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) or pemphigus vulgaris (PV). This paper will discuss the clinical features, methods of diagnosis, and treatment protocols of each.

How long does desquamative gingivitis last?

Recovery of the gingiva may take months (11). Although the intraoral presence of desquamative gingival lesions differ, various durations from 2 months to 25 years have been reported (13).

Oral lesions and diseases associated with them

What does desquamative gingivitis look like?

Desquamative gingivitis is an erythematous (red), desquamatous (shedding) and ulcerated appearance of the gums. It is a descriptive term and can be caused by several different disorders.

What is chronic desquamative gingivitis?

Chronic desquamative gingivitis is a clinical description of the gingiva which is often a presenting manifestation of dermatoses or mucocutaneous disorders. The patients often experience oral discomfort and pain, which can significantly compromise their life qualities.

What bacteria causes acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis?

If ANUG is improperly treated or neglected, it may become chronic and/or recurrent. The causative organisms are mostly anaerobic bacteria, particularly Fusobacteria and spirochete species.

Which blood dyscrasia may present as a hyperplastic gingivitis?

In puberty and pregnancy, hyperplasia of the gingival tissues may be due to poor oral hygiene, inadequate nutrition, or systemic hormonal stimulation (1, 2). Gingival enlargements are also seen in several blood dyscrasias e.g. leukaemia, thrombocytopenia, or thrombocytopathy (3).

Is Erosive Lichen Planus painful?

Erosive lichen planus can be very painful, stinging when passing urine and preventing sexual intercourse. It is one cause of vulvodynia (burning discomfort of the vulva). Erosive lichen planus may also result in very severe itch.

Does Lichen Planus have Slough?

Red lesions of atrophic lichen planus (LP) may simulate erythroplasia. Lesions may be asymptomatic or cause soreness. Erosions are irregular, persistent and painful, with a yellowish slough, and are often associated with white lesions. LP can cause 'desquamative gingivitis'.

What is gingival overgrowth?

Gingival hyperplasia is a condition that refers to an overgrowth of your gums (also known as your gingiva). Whereas some people have too little gums to cover their teeth, those with this condition have too much gum tissue.

What is the difference between pemphigus and pemphigoid?

Pemphigus affects the outer of the skin (epidermis) and causes lesions and blisters that are easily ruptured. Pemphigoid affects a lower layer of the skin, between the epidermis and the dermis, creating tense blisters that do not break easily.

What does Desquamative mean?

Medical Definition of desquamative

: attended by or causing desquamation desquamative interstitial pneumonia.

What is sloughing of gum tissue?

Tissue sloughing is where areas of the mouth peel off more quickly, which can cause small sores. Hexylresorcinol, an ingredient for plaque control, may also cause irritation.

How did I get lichen planus?

The cause of lichen planus is usually not known, although possible causes include: Hepatitis C, a virus that attacks your liver. Certain medicines, including some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and malaria. Reactions to metal fillings in your teeth.

What drugs cause gum hyperplasia?

• Phenytoin.
• Phenobarbital.
• Lamotrigine.
• Vigabatrin.
• Ethosuximide.
• Topiramate.
• Primidone.
• Nifedipine.

Can leukemia cause gingival hyperplasia?

Gingival hyperplasia is most commonly seen with the AML subtypes acute monocytic leukemia (M5) (66.7%), acute myelomonocytic leukemia (M4) (18.5%), and acute myelocytic leukemia (M1, M2) (3.7%).

What is pancytopenia anemia?

Pancytopenia occurs when you have a combination of three different blood disorders: Anemia is when you have too few red blood cells. Leukopenia is when you have too few white blood cells. Thrombocytopenia is when you have too few platelets.

What are the symptoms of necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis?

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is a painful infection of the gums. Symptoms are acute pain, bleeding, and foul breath. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings. Treatment is gentle debridement, improved oral hygiene, mouth rinses, supportive care, and, if debridement must be delayed, antibiotics.

What is trenchmouth?

Trench mouth is a quickly progressing infection of the gums marked by bleeding, swelling, pain, ulcers between the teeth and death to gum tissue. The possibility of death (necrosis) to the teeth's supporting structures makes trench mouth a more advanced and serious form of gingivitis, a common type of gum disease.

What is necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis?

Necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis (NUP) is characterized by soft tissue necrosis, rapid periodontal destruction, and interproximal bone loss. Unlike other periodontal diseases, it presents substantial necrosis of gingival tissues, and loss of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone.

What is hereditary gingival fibromatosis?

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare disorder characterized by a benign, non-hemorrhagic, fibrous gingival overgrowth that can appear in isolation or as part of a syndrome. Clinically, a pink gingiva with marked stippling can be seen to cover almost all the tooth, in many cases preventing eruption.

What is aggressive periodontitis?

Aggressive periodontitis is a destructive disease characterized by the following: the involvement of multiple teeth with a distinctive pattern of periodontal tissue loss; a high rate of disease progression; an early age of onset; and the absence of systemic diseases.

What is chronic ulcerative stomatitis?

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CUS) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by oral erosions and ulcers usually refractory to conventional treatments. The disease often involves middle-aged and older women with painful lesions sometimes resembling those of erosive oral lichen planus (OLP).