Desquamative gingivitis: A state of uncertainty

Prevalence and Incidence of Desquamative Gingivitis among Patients Visiting a Private Teaching Hospital in Chennai, India

“…They may be due to infectious agents, metabolic disorders, endocrinopathies, neoplasms, developmental abnormalities, genetics, immunological disturbances and even injuries. Dommy A et al, and Maderal et al, in their study, stated that the mucosa is usually presented with erythema which is most frequently presented in sites such as the buccal mucosa 53,66 . Abnormal mucosal lesions may mostly occur due to lesions associated with erythema multiforme 67,68 .…”

“…The most common chief complaints of patients with DG in our data analysis was found to be the burning sensation of gingiva (50%) followed by pain (33.3%) and bleeding of the gums (16.7%) being the least common .The chi square test value for the chief complaint of patients diagnosed with desquamative gingivitis were statistically not significant (p>0.005) [Table 1]. Burning sensation was more commonly seen among the male patients (66.6%) while bleeding and pain was experienced by only female patients and not male patients .Dommy Aet al,in his study reported that the most common chief complaint was burning sensation which is aggravated on consumption of spicy food 53 .Non plaque induced gingival erythema, gingival desquamation and intra oral lesions are major diagnostic criteria for DG which may be the cause of the burning sensation, pain and bleeding associated with DG. According to the study conducted by Leao J.C et al, Gingival soreness was the chief complaint of 92% of the patients while few patients complained of ulceration of oral mucosa (5%) 54 .…”

“…33% of the lesions involved both maxilla and mandible .The chi square test value for the site of occurence of desquamative gingivitis was statistically not significant (p>0.005) [Table 1]. Literature cited immune mediated disorders , most commonly affecting the buccal mucosa, tongue, gingiva, and labial mucosa of the mandible while the involvement of the palate, floor of the mouth, and upper lip are uncommon 55 , stated that the lesions may be present throughout the entire gingiva in the form vesicles or bullae 53,56 . The contradictory results may be due to the smaller sample size and difference in geographic area and ethnicity in our study.…”

“…The chi square test value of the duration of symptoms of desquamative was statistically not significant (p>0.005) [Table 1]. The duration varied between studies conducted by different authors 53,54 . This may be due to the smaller sample size , usage of medication by the patient ,presence of systemic diseases and the difference in the duration of symptoms of various lesions associated with desquamative gingivitis.…”

“…Red and white lesions are caused due to the necrosis of the oral epithelium. Ziskin D.E et al, and Dommy A et al, stated the presence of large vesicles and multiple bullae 53,56 .…”