| Desquamative gingivitis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | DG |
| Specialty | Periodontology  |
Desquamative gingivitis is an erythematous (red), desquamatous (shedding) and ulcerated appearance of the gums.[1] It is a descriptive term and can be caused by several different disorders.[2]
Desquamative gingivitis involves lesions of the free and attached gingiva. Unlike plaque-induced inflammation of the gums (normal marginal gingivitis), desquamative gingivitis extends beyond the marginal gingiva, involving the full width of the gingiva and sometimes the alveolar mucosa.[3] The term "full width gingivitis" usually refers to the oral lesions of orofacial granulomatosis however.[4] The color is another dissimilarity between typical marginal gingivitis and desquamative gingivitis, in the latter it is dusky red.[3] Plasma cell gingivitis is another form of gingivitis which affects both the attached and free gingiva.[1]
Caused by various autoimmune diseases as well as allergies. Erosive lichen planus, mucous membrane pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, erythema exsudativum multiforme and lupus erythematosus.
Desquamative gingivitis is a descriptive clinical term, not a diagnosis.[1] Dermatologic conditions cause about 75% of cases of desquamative gingivitis, and over 95% of the dermatologic cases are accounted for by either oral lichen planus or cicatricial pemphigoid.[1] The exact cause of desquamative gingivitis cannot be determined about a third of cases.[1]
Rare causes include:
This condition was first recognized and reported in 1894, but the term desquamative gingivitis was not coined until 1932.[1]