Main

Axéll T, Henriksen BM J Oral Pathol Med 2007; 36: 105–109

Lichen planus may present on the buccal gingiva as a desquamative gingivitis and can be resistant to treatment with medications such as steroids. Following one report of successful treatment with grafting, this study reports results from 12 Norwegian patients with recalcitrant lesions (unspecified number confirmed by biopsy) who received 20 healthy grafts from the hard palate, trimmed to replace buccal gingiva.

Grafts were observed for 5-97 months (mean 32). On a 3 point scale of healing, 12 patients were healed completely, 6 healed but with some erythema and no symptoms, and 2 improved but had extensive erythema and/or symptoms. The authors discuss diagnostic validity and state that biopsy confirmation of the condition may be complicated by a concurrent plaque-induced gingivitis.