This document provides an overview of desquamative gingivitis (DG), a clinical sign characterized by redness and scaling of the gingiva. It discusses the various diseases that can present as DG, including lichen planus, pemphigus, pemphigoid, linear IgA disease, and lupus erythematosus. It outlines the diagnostic process and significance of DG, noting that the associated disorders can impact oral health and require systemic treatment with corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, increasing risk of complications. Proper diagnosis of the underlying condition is important for effective management of DG lesions and systemic disease.

1. DESQUAMATIVE GINGIVITIS
DR. BENITA MARIA REGI
1ST MDS

2. contents
• History
• Introduction
• Chronic desquamative gingivitis
• Systemic approach for the diagnosis of chronic desquamative gingivitis
• Diseases clinically presenting as desquamative gingivitis
*Lichen planus
*Pemphigus
*Pemphigoid
* Linear IgA disease
*Lupus erythematosus
* Dermatitis herpetiformis
*Chronic ulcerative stomatitis

3. • Miscellaneous Conditions Mimicking Desquamative Gingivitis
• Diagnostic pathways and clinical significance
• Conclusion
• References

4. HISTORY
Coined in 1932
McCarthy and
colleagues (1960)
Glickman and
Smulow (1964)

5. Introduction
• DG is a clinically relevant entity…..
• DG can be associated with a wide range…..
• Because the majority of disorders causing DG…..

6. • Chronic desquamative gingivitis is characterized by intense redness and
desquamation of the surface epithelium of the attached gingiva.
Chronic desquamative gingivitis

8. Etiology
• Dermatological diseases
• Endocrine disturbances
• Abnormal responses to
bacterial plaque
• Chronic infections
• Idiopathic
• Aging
(“desquamtive gingivitis- a clinical sign in mucous membrane pemphigoid: report of case and review of literature:
shamimul hassan”)

9. Nisengard and Neiders &
Rogers and his associates…

10. Epidemiological features
Pemphigus
vulgaris – 3%
to 15%
Oral lichen
planus – 24%
to 45%
Mucous
membrane
pemphigoid –
35% to 48%
“(Diagnostic Pathways and Clinical Significance of Desquamative Gingivitis
Lucio Lo Russo et al”)

11. Diagnosis of desquamative gingivitis:
Clinical
history
Clinical
examination
Biopsy
Microscopic
Examination
Immunofluore-
scence

12. Practitioner's
experience,
Systemic
impact of
the disease
Systemic
complications
of the
medications
Management:-

13. Treatment
∆ Local treatment
 Plaque control
 Use of corticosteroid ointments and creams
∆ Systemic treatment
High dose therapy
Moderate dose
therapy

14. Disorders associated with desquamative
gingivitis

15. ORAL LICHEN PLANUS:
 Immunologically mediated mucocutaneous
disorder - T cells play a central role.
 Middle aged & older women
 2:1 ratio

16. Idiopathic
Stress
Traumatism
Malnutrition
and infection
Autoimmune
Hereditary
Grinspans
syndrome
Lichen
planus
 Etiology

18. ORAL MANIFESTATIONS:
Radiating white or gray, velvety, thread-like papules in
a linear, annular or retiform arrangement forming
typical lacy, reticular patches, rings and streaks over
the buccal mucosa, lips, tongue and palate.
Vesicle and bulla formation.

19. GINGIVAL LESIONS
Atrophic
Atrophic Keratotic lesion
Erosive Reticular

20. Histopathology

21.  DI- Linear-fibrillar deposits of fibrin in thebasement membrane zone.
 Scattered immunoglobulin-staining cytoid bodies in the upper areas of the lamina
propria.
 Serum tests using indirect immunofluorescenceare negative in lichenplanus.

22. TREATMENT:-
 The keratotic lesions of oral lichen planus are asymptomatic and do not
require treatment.
 The erosive, bullous, or ulcerative lesions of oral lichen planus are treated with high-
potency topical steroid such as 0.05% fluocinonide ointment (Lidex, three times daily).
 It can also be mixed 1:1 with carboxymethyl cellulose (Orabase) paste or other adhesive
ointment.

23. • SEVERE CASES - Intralesional injections of triamcinolone acetonide (10 to 20 mg) or
short-term regimens of 40 mg prednisone daily for 5 days followed by 10 to 20 mg
daily for an additional 2 weeks.
• Topical tacrolimus

24. PEMPHIGOID
Cutaneous, immune-mediated, subepithelial bullous diseases that are
characterized by a separation of the basement membrane zone, including
bullous pemphigoid pemphigoid
gestationis
mucous membrane
pemphigoid

25.  Cicatricial pemphigoid.
 Chronic, vesiculobullous autoimmune disorder
 It predominantly affects women in fifth decade of life.
Five subtypes:-

27. Symblepharon
Ankyloblepharon
Small vesicular lesions on conjunctiva –
eventually produces scarring, corneal damage
and blindness
Ocularinvolvement

28. ORAL MANIFESTATIONS
• Desquamative gingivitis with areas of
erythema, desquamation, ulceration, and
vesiculation of the attached gingiva.
• Bullae- thick roof- rupture in 2-3 days
leaving irregular shaped areas of ulceration;
healing- 3 weeks or longer.

29. • Separation of epithelium and C.T.occursatthebasementmembranezone.
• EM- shows spilt in basal lamina

30. Immunopathology
• Direct immunofluorescence
- IgG and C3
• Indirect immunofluorescence
- positive in <25%

31. • Topical steroids – main Rx for mucous memb. Pemphi.
• Fluocinonide(0.05%) and Clobetasol propionate (0.05%) in an adhesive
vehicle can be used 3 times a day for 6 mnths.

32. BULLOUS PEMPHIGOID
•Chronic, autoimmune, subepidermal, bullous disease with tense bullae that rupture and
become flaccid in the skin.

33. Oral Manifestations
• Oral lesions – less frequently in BP than in CP
• Presence of vesicles and areas of erosion and ulceration
• Lesion- painful
• Gingival tissues appear extremely erythematous….
Bullae on gingiva

34. Histologically,
• No acantholysis
• The epithelium separates from the underlying
connective tissue at the basement membrane zone

35.  IgG&C3 immune deposits along epithelial basement membrane and circulating IgG
antibodies to the epithelial basement membrane.
 Direct immunofluorescence is positive in 90% to 100% of these patients, whereas
indirect immunofluorescence is positive in 40% to 70% of affected patients

36. • control signs and symptoms
• Primary Rx –moderate dose of systemic prednisone
• Steroid sparing strategies (Prednisone + immunomodulatory drugs)…
• For localized lesions of bullous pemphigoid,….

37. • PEMPHIGUS - Group of autoimmune bullous disorders - cutaneous and/or mucous
membrane blisters
Types
P. vulgaris P. foliaceous
P. vegetans
P. erythematosus

38. • Lethal chronic condition
• Predilection in women(after 4th decade of life)

40. • Range from small vesicles to large bullae
• Rupture of bullae leads to extensive areas of
ulceration
• Any area of oral cavity involved- Oral
lesions confine less often to gingival
tissues
• Nikolsky’s sign….
ORAL LESIONS:-
Soft palate > buccal mucosa > tongue > lower labial mucosa > gingiva

41. HISTOPATHOLOGY
• Intraepithelial vesiculation
•Tombstone appearance of epithelial cells.
•Acantholysis

42. • Intercellular deposits in epithelium
• ( IgG in most; C3 in some) of perilesional mucosa

43. TREATMENT
• Systemic corticosteroids with or without other immunosuppressive agents
• Steroid sparing therapies- pt not responsive to corticosteroid.
• Optimal oral hygiene
• Pts in maintenance phase- prednisone before oral prophylaxis and periodontal surgery
to prevent flare ups.

44. CHRONIC ULCERATIVE STOMATITIS
• 1990
• Condition presents with chronic oral ulcerations
• Predilection for women(4th decade)
• Erosions and ulcerations in oral cavity- few cases
with cutaneous lesions
ORAL LESIONS
•Painful, solitary small blisters and erosions with surrounding erythema – mainly
on gingiva and lateral border of the tongue ; hard palate may also present similar
lesions.

45. TREATMENT
• Mild cases- topical steroids (fluocinonide, clobetasol propionate) and topical
tetracycline
• Severe cases- systemic steroids
• Hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200-400 mg/ day – Rx of choice for complete,
long lasting remission

46. LINEAR IgA DISEASE (LINEAR IgA DERMATOSIS)
• Uncommon mucocutaneous disorder with
predilection in women
C/F
• Pruritic Vesiculo bullous rash, during middle to
late age..

47. ORAL LESIONS
• Vesicles, Painful ulcerations or erosions and erosive gingivitis/chelitis
• Hard and soft palate commonly affected →
tonsillar pillars, buccal mucosa, tongue and gingiva
• Rarely, oral lesion may be the only manifestation for several years; before
cutaneous lesions

48. Combination of
Sulfones and
Dapsone
Small amounts of
Prednisone (10-
30mg/day) canbe
added
tetracycline
(2g/day)
combined with
nicotinamide (1-
5g/day)
Mycophenolate(1g
twice daily) +
prednisolone
(30mg daily)

49.  Chronic condition
 Young adults (20-30years)
 Slight predilection formales.
 Bilateral and symmetric pruriticpapules/vesicles…
 Oral lesions - Painful ulcerations preceded by collapse of ephemeral
vesicles/bullae to erythematous lesions.

50. HISTOPATHOLOGY
 Focal aggregates of neutrophils and eosinophils amidst deposits of fibrin at the apices
of the dermal pegs.
IMMUNOFLUORESENCE
 Direct immunofluoresence show that IgA &C3 are present at the dermal papillary apices.
There is clear association with celiac disease & circulatory anti endomysial and anti
gliaden antibodies may be of diagnostic value.

51. TREATMENT
 Gluten freediet
 Oral Dapsone

52.  It is an autoimmune disease with three different clinical presentations
 1. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
 2. Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CCLE)
 3. Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (SCLE)

53. • Predilection for females (10:1)
• Affects vital organs – kidneys, heart
• Classic cutaneous lesion….
• Oral lesions (36% of SLE patients) - ulcerative or lichen
planus-like

54. • Skin lesions – Discoid lupus erythematosus
• Describes chronic scarring and atrophy producing..
• Oral lesions - 9% of patients present lichen planus-like plaques..
Soft palate > buccal mucosa > tongue > lower labial mucosa > gingiva

55. SUBACUTE CUTANEOUS LUPUS ERYTHEMATOUS
• present cutaneous lesions that are similar to DLE but that lack the development of
scarring and atrophy.

56. TREATMENT

57. ERYTHEMA MULTIFORME
• An acute bullous and/or macular inflammatory mucocutaneous disease
• young adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years;

58. •EM minor-
•Stevens –Johnson syndrome/ Erythema multiforme major
•Toxic epidermal necrolysis

59. • Target or iris lesions with central clearing
Oral lesions
• 70% of patients with skin involvement (McCarthy 1980)
• Multiple, large, painful ulcers with an erythematous border
• Hemorrhagic crusting of vermilion border of lips

60. Buccal mucosa > tongue >lower labial mucosa > floor of the mouth > palate > gingiva.

61. Steven Johnsons Syndrome
• Severe bullous form
• Abrupt occurrence of fever, malaise, photophobia and
eruptions of oral mucosa, genitilia and skin
• Oral lesions → rupture → surfaces covered with thick white
or yellow exudate
• Lips - ulceration with bloody crusting
• ANUG

62. TREATMENT

63. DRUG ERUPTIONS
• Drug acts as an allergen either alone or in combination, sensitizes the tissues and
then causing the allergic reaction.
• TYPES
- Stomatitis medicamentosa - mouth or parenterally
- Stomatitis venenata(contact dermatitis) – local use.

64. Etiology
Sulphonamides, barbiturates
and antibiotics
Mercurial compounds
Toothpaste

65. • Vesiculo bullous to
pigmented or non-
pigmented macular
lesions.
Erosions result in
ulceration and
purpuric lesions
gingiva
ORAL LESIONS

66. Factitious lesions
Graft vs. Host disease
Wegener's granulomatosis
Foreign body gingivitis
MISCELLANEOUS CONDITIONS MIMICKING DESQUAMATIVE GINGIVITIS

67. Candidiasis
MISCELLANEOUS CONDITIONS MIMICKING DESQUAMATIVE GINGIVITIS
Kindler syndrome

68. Summary of diagnostic pathways

69. “(Diagnostic Pathways and Clinical Significance of Desquamative Gingivitis
Lucio Lo Russo et al”)

70. Clinical significance
• Painful gingival and oral lesions…..
• This can increase the inflammation associated with DG lesions,….
• The potential direct effects of DG-associated disorders on periodontal status have been investigated
rarely.

71. • It seems that the presence of DG lesions….
• In addition, systemic/topical…..
• Oral hygiene procedures should be performed avoiding trauma because many immune-mediated
disorders associated with DG are characterized by the Koebner phenomenon,

72. • Systemic complications also are important…..
• Systemic corticosteroids and/ or other immune suppressive drugs….
• A small but increased risk for malignant transformation of the oral mucosa….
“(Diagnostic Pathways and Clinical Significance of Desquamative Gingivitis
Lucio Lo Russo et al”)

73. • From a theoretic point of view, disorders causing DG may have potential harmful
• In fact, DG lesions are typically chronic and often associated to a wide range of oral
symptoms….
• In the instance of such an indirect effect…..

74. • On the other hand, a direct effect of DG lesions on periodontitis …..(Kornman, 2008).
• Immune-inflammatory mechanisms are also critical for the pathogenesis of most of DG-associated
disorders (Lo Russo et al, 2008), which often involves common molecules⁄cytokine networks [e.g. TNF-
a for OLP (Sugerman et al, 2002; Sugermann et al, 1996; Khan et al, 2003)].

75. • (Tricamo et al, 2006) showed that…...
• (Akman et al, 2008)…..

76. (“Desquamative Gingivitis − Aetiology, Diagnosis and Management
Lewis Winning et al”)

77. C0NCLUSION

78. references
•Carranza clinical periodontology 12th edition
•Shafer's oral pathology 5th edition
•Diagnostic Pathways and Clinical Significance of Desquamative Gingivitis
J Periodontol 2008;79:4-24.
•Position Paper Oral Features of Mucocutaneous Disorders
J Periodontol 2003;74:1545-1556.
•Desquamative Gingivitis: Investigation, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management in Practice
Perio 2005; Vol 2, Issue 3: 183–190
•Periodontal Implications: Mucocutaneous Disorders
Ann Periodontol 1996;1:401-438
• Desquamative Gingivitis − Aetiology, Diagnosis and Management;
Lewis Winning, Amanda Willis, Brian Mullally and Christopher Irwin
• Desquamtive gingivitis- a clinical sign in mucous membrane pemphigoid: report of case and review of
literature: Shamimul Hassan