Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2018 Oct-Dec;44(4):331-336.
doi: 10.12865/CHSJ.44.04.01. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Desquamative Gingivitis - A Clinicopathological Review

Affiliations
Case Reports

Desquamative Gingivitis - A Clinicopathological Review

E C Tofan et al. Curr Health Sci J. 2018 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

This article aims to review the etiology, clinical features and diagnosis of desquamative gingivitis in order to outline all the aspects necessary to increase the efficiency of patient management. Because of the polymorphic etiology, dental practitioners may elude the correct diagnose. Consequently, we find it important to underline all the clinical features that desquamative gingivitis may have as well as the associated oral lesions. Also we shortly review the systemic disorders that frequently associate desquamative gingivitis. It is important to know that the muco-cutaneous disorders frequently involved can have an abrupt onset with lesions sometimes confined to the gingiva. In evolution these diseases can be life threatening and a quick treatment can assure not only a more favorable evolution but also a better life quality. Laboratory analyses are mandatory in order to correctly diagnose the main systemic disorder. Histology and direct immunofluorescence investigations are the most accurate. Remission of the underlining disease brings improvement or even resolution of the oral lesions.

Keywords: Desquamative gingivitis; differential diagnosis; oral lesions; systemic disease.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Reticular keratosis
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ulcer after bullae ruptured
Figure 3
Figure 3
Erosion, keratosis, atrophy
Figure 4
Figure 4
Bullous oral lichen planus-histological image showing a dense inflammatory infiltrate band-like in the lamina propria-Hematoxylin-eosin stain, 4x
Figure 5
Figure 5
Oral lichen planus. Direct immunofluorescence. Fibrinogen deposits in the lamina propria
Figure 6
Figure 6
Pemphigus vulgaris: histological image showing intraepithelial bulla formation (Haematoxylin-Eosin stain, 4x)
Figure 7
Figure 7
Pemphigus vulgaris. Direct immunofluorescence analyze-IgG positive with net-like (honey comb) disposition
Figure 8
Figure 8
Pemphigus vulgaris. Direct immunofluorescence studies-intraepithelial C3c moderate presence

References

    1. Prinz H. Chronic diffuse desquamative gingivitis. Dent Cosm. 1932;74:332–333.
    1. Guiglia R, Di Liberto, Pizzo G, Picone L, Lo Muzio, Gallo PD, Campisi G, D'Angelo M. A combined treatment regimen for desquamative gingivitis in patients with oral lichen planus. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine. 2007;36(2):110–116. - PubMed
    1. McCarthy FP, McCarthy PL, Shklar G. Chronic desquamative gingivitis: A reconsideration. Oral Surgery. Oral Medicine. Oral Pathology. 1960;13(11):1300–1313.
    1. Glickman I, Smulow JB. Chronic desquamative gingivitis-its nature and treatment. Journal of periodontology. 1964;35(5):397–405.
    1. Presland RB, Jurevic RJ. Making sense of the epithelial barrier: what molecular biology and genetics tell us about the functions of oral mucosal and epidermal tissues. Journal of dental education. 2002;66(4):564–574. - PubMed

Publication types