Gingival involvement in Crohn disease.
BACKGROUND
Although the oral manifestations of Crohn disease are well-established, there is little specific documentation of the gingival involvement.


METHODS
The authors describe four patients with significant gingival involvement and identify clinical signs and symptoms of the disease involving the gingivae, along with other oral manifestations. Patients had persistent gingival lesions manifesting as pustular ulcerations, erythema, swelling and cobblestoning. The authors also discuss the differential diagnosis, treatment options and prognostic factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with gingival and/or other oral lesions with or without other constitutional symptoms should be evaluated for Crohn disease. Dentists can play a critical role in the early diagnosis, and they can help prevent complications and improve the prognosis.
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA.
Junu
J
Ojha
Donald M
DM
Cohen
Nadim M
NM
Islam
Carol M
CM
Stewart
Joseph
J
Katz
Indraneel
I
Bhattacharyya
D000328:Adult; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology