title: The clinical spectrum of desquamative gingivitis.
abstract: Desquamative gingivitis is a fairly common complaint. Typically seen in females who are middle-aged or older, it is predominantly a manifestation of a range of vesiculobullous disorders. The main complaint is of persistent soreness of the gingiva. Most cases are related to lichen planus or pemphigoid, but it is also important to exclude pemphigus, dermatitis herpetiformis, linear IgA disease, chronic ulcerative stomatitis, and other conditions. Biopsy is invariably required to confirm the diagnosis after a full history, general, and oral examination. Apart from improving the oral hygiene, immunosuppressive therapy is typically required to control the condition.
authors.affiliation: Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, University of London, England.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scully
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003874:Dermatitis Herpetiformis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005892:Gingivitis, Necrotizing Ulcerative / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000175:diagnosis; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000175:diagnosis; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000175:diagnosis; D010808:Physical Examination; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents