Objectives Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory oral mucosal disease. Cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis and disease progression of OLP. Various reports have implicated cytokine gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to develop some immune mediated conditions including OLP. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF-β and interleukin (IL)-10 gene polymorphisms with the OLP risk.Material and Methods Forty two unrelated patients with OLP and 211 healthy volunteers were genotyped for TNF-α (-308 G/A), TNF-β (+252A/G), IL-10 (-1082G/A), IL-10 (-819C/T), and IL-10 (-592C/A) polymorphisms.Results The frequencies of allele A and genotype GA of TNF-α (-308G/A) were significantly higher while allele G and GG genotypes were lower in OLP patients as compared to the controls (P<0.001). The frequency of GA genotype of TNF-β (+252A/G) was significantly higher in patients than in controls while the AA genotype was completely absent in OLP patients. These results indicated that allele A and genotype GA of TNF-α (-308G/A) as well as the GA genotype of TNF-β (+252A/G) polymorphisms are associated with OLP risk. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of -1082G/A, -819C/T and -592C/A polymorphisms in IL-10 gene did not differ significantly between OLP patients and controls (P>0.05). However, haplotype ATA extracted from 1082G/A, -819C/T, -592C/A polymorphisms of IL-10 were more prevalent in OLP patients when compared to controls indicating its possible association with OLP susceptibility.Conclusion It is concluded that TNF-α (-308G/A), TNF-β (+252A/G) and IL-10 (-1082G/A, -819C/T and -592C/A) polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility of OLP, thus giving additional support for the genetic basis of this disease.

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a common, acquired, benign vascular reactive proliferation that typically develops as a small erythematous papule on the skin or oral mucosal surface. Oral PG is often caused by constant low-grade infection, minor trauma, poor oral hygiene, and due to hormonal disturbances. It shows a striking predilection for the gingiva. Lesions can be excised surgically with removal of the underlying causes. However, this modality may be associated with unnecessary complications. Recently, different laser wavelengths have been used for removal of oral PG. Herein, we present a case of gingival PG in a 51-year-old uncontrolled diabetic woman. The lesion was excised successfully with a 940nm diode laser as a conservative and non-stressful procedure that resulted in a bloodless surgical and post-surgical course with rapid healing, minimal pain, swelling, and scarring. The 940nm Diode laser offers a new efficient noninvasive tool for excising oral soft tissue lesions, especially in medically compromised patients.

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Calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine and tacrolimus) have been used as the mainstay immunosuppressive therapy for solid organ and hematopoietic cell transplantations (HCT) to prevent allograft rejection and for prophylaxis and treatment of the chronic graft-versus-host disease. Adverse effects of these drugs include nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hypertension and gingival hyperplasia. Association of oral non-gingival soft tissue hyperplasia with calcineurin inhibitor therapy has only recently been recognized and is thought to occur infrequently. We present four cases of oral non-gingival inflammatory fibro-vascular hyperplasias attributed to the use of calcineurin inhibitors following solid organ transplantation and HCT. These lesions interfere with function and must be differentiated from other oral lesions, and therefore should be surgically excised.