ADVERSE REACTIONS IN THE ORAL-MUCOSA ASSOCIATED WITH ANTERIOR COMPOSITE RESTORATIONS

This is a descriptive study of patients with symptomatic lichenoid-lik e reactions of the lips in contact with composite restorations (n=12). Clinically, the lesions appeared as symptomatic single or multiple er ythematous areas that included white papules. Candida was found by cul tivation or histopathological examination in 7 of the lesions. Patch t esting (n=7) did not reveal any reactions to composite components, exc ept for one patient who showed a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to formaldehyde. Replacement of existing dental materials parallel to ant ifungal treatment resulted in healing or significant improvement in 7 of 9 patients. This study shows that resin components can be associate d with adverse reactions in the oral mucosa of the lips and that these reactions may be accompanied by an infection with Candida.