Objective, Desquamative gingivitis is a chronic diffuse inflammation of the
gingiva. The aim of this study was to determine the causes and the clinica
l characteristics of desquamative gingivitis.
Patients and methods, This was a retrospective descriptive study including
33 consecutive patients (25 women and 8 men) seen at a dermatology clinic f
or erosive gingivitis.
Results. Thirteen patients (39 p. 100) had cicatricial pemphigoid, 12 (36 p
. 100) had lichen planus, and 5 (15 p. 100) had pemphigus. Delay to diagnos
is was a mean 19 months. The pinch sign was positive in 12 of the 13 cases
of cicatricial pemphigoid. Dapsone improved the buccal lesions of cicatrici
al pemphigoid in all cases, Systemic corticosteroid therapy and acitretine
were the most effective treatments for lichen planus and corticosteroid the
rapy improved pemphigus in all cases. At the time of assessment, only 3 cas
es of cicatricial pemphigoid, 2 cases of lichen planus and 1 case of pemphi
gus had readied complete remission without treatment.
Discussion. Cicatricial pemphigoid and lichen planus are the most frequent
causes of desquamative gingivitis, accounting for three-quarters of the cas
es. Positive diagnosis may be difficult and may require sophisticated techn
iques to avoid delay. Despite the effectiveness of symptomatic treatment, d
esquamative gingivitis may have a long course.