Clinical and histologic healing of lichenoid oral lesions following amalgam removal: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to see whether clinical healing after amalgam removal corresponds to histologic healing, i.e., a complete disappearance of any histologic sign of lichenoid lesion.


METHODS
The study evaluated 64 patients with lichenoid lesions and at least one amalgam filling.


RESULTS
After amalgam removal, complete clinical healing was obtained in 14 patients (22%) and was significantly related to lesion topography (χ(2) 4.7; P < .05) and positive patch test (χ(2) 6.3; P < .01). Complete histologic healing was obtained in only 7 cases (50% of clinically healed patients), and was significantly related to the combination of positive patch test and strict contact with amalgams (Fisher's exact test P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Contact with amalgams and positive patch testing are good but not absolute indicators of the beneficial effect of amalgam replacement. In addition, complete clinical healing does not necessarily mean a disappearance of the histologic characteristics of OLL/OLP lesions.
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. lucio.montebugnoli@unibo.it
Lucio
L
Montebugnoli
Mattia
M
Venturi
Davide B
DB
Gissi
Fabio
F
Cervellati
D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D017512:Lichenoid Eruptions / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D010328:Patch Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019233:Retreatment; D014945:Wound Healing
D003723:Dental Amalgam