This document summarizes various causes of non-plaque induced gingivitis, including specific bacterial, viral, and fungal infections that can cause gingival inflammation and lesions. It describes conditions such as herpetic gingivostomatitis caused by the herpes simplex virus and candidosis caused by Candida albicans. It also discusses genetic causes like hereditary gingival fibromatosis and systemic diseases that can involve the gingiva, such as lichen planus, pemphigoid, and pemphigus vulgaris. Allergic reactions to dental materials and oral hygiene products are another potential cause of non-plaque gingivitis covered.

2. Non-plaque Induced Gingivitis
Dr.Haddadi

3. Reference:
• Clinical Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, Lindhe, 2015, Chapter 18

4. Introduction:
• Gingivitis is not always due to accumulation of plaque on the tooth
surface.
• They may have several causes;
1. Specific bacterial, viral or fungal infection,
2. Hereditary gingival fibromatosis,
3. Muco-cutaneous disorders (lichen planus, pemphigoid, pemphigus
vulgaris, erythema multiform),
4. Allergic and traumatic lesions.

5. Gingival diseases of specific bacterial origin
• Typical examples of such lesions are due to infections with Neisseria
gonorrhea, Treponema pallidum, streptococci.
• Oral lesions may be the primary presentation of the infection.
• Although oral manifestations of syphilis and gonorrhea are most likely
to be observed during secondary disease, all stages of the disease can
give rise to oral lesions.
• The gingival lesions manifest as fiery red edematous painful
ulcerations, as asymptomatic mucous patches, or as atypical
non‐ulcerated, highly inflamed gingivitis.
• Diagnosis: Biopsy supplemented by microbiologic examination.

6. Oral manifestation of syphilis

7. Gingival diseases of viral origin
• Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis:
• The manifestation includes painful severe gingivitis with redness,
ulcerations with serofibrinous exudate, and edema accompanied by
stomatitis.
• The incubation period is 1 week. A characteristic feature is the
formation of vesicles, which rupture, coalesce, and leave fibrincoated
ulcers.

8. • Fever and lymphadenopathy are other classic features.
• Healing occurs spontaneously without Scarring in 10–14 days. During
this period pain can render eating difficult.
• Occurs mostly before adolescence.
• The virus remains latent in the ganglion cell, probably through
integration of its DNA. Reactivation of the virus occurs in 20–40% of
primary infected individuals, usually presents as herpes labialis, but
recurrent intraoral herpes Infections are also seen.

9. • Recurrent intraoral herpes typically presents a less dramatic course
than does the primary infection.
• A characteristic manifestation is a cluster of small painful ulcers in the
attached gingiva and hard palate.
• Diagnosis: on the basis of the patient history and clinical findings
supported by isolation of HSV from lesions. Laboratory diagnosis may
also involve examination of a blood sample for increased antibody
titer against HSV.

10. • The treatment of herpetic gingivostomatitis includes careful plaque
removal to limit bacterial superinfection of the ulcerations, which
delays their healing.
• In severe cases, including patients with immunodeficiency, the
systemic use of antiviral drugs such as acyclovir, valacyclovir or
famciclovir is recommended.

11. Gingival diseases of fungal origin
• Candidosis:
• The most common fungal infection of the oral mucosa is candidosis
mainly caused by the organism C. albicans.
• C. albicans is a normal commensal of the oral cavity but also an
opportunistic pathogen. The prevalence of oral carriage of C. albicans
in healthy adults ranges from 3% to 48%.
• The proteinase‐positive Strains of C. albicans are associated with
disease and invasion of keratinized epithelia such as that of the
gingiva.

12. • Infection by C. albicans usually occurs as a consequence of reduced
host defense, including immunodeficiency, reduced saliva secretion,
smoking, treatment with corticosteroids. Disturbances in the oral
microbial flora, such as after therapy with broad‐spectrum antibiotics,
may also lead to oral candidosis.
• The most common clinical characteristic of gingival candida infections
is redness of the attached gingiva, often associated with a granular
surface.
(Erythematous candidosis)

13. • Pseudomembranous candidosis shows whitish patches which can be
wiped off the mucosa with an instrument or gauze to leave a slightly
bleeding surface.
• The pseudomembranous type usually has no major symptoms.
• Diagnosis: on the basis of culture, smear, and biopsy.

14. • Topical treatment involves application of antifungals, such as nystatin,
amphotericin B or miconazole. Miconazole exists as an oral gel. It
should not be given during pregnancy and it can interact with
anticoagulants and phenytoin.
• Nystatin may be used as an oral suspension. Since it is not resorbed, it
can be used in pregnant or lactating women.
• The treatment of severe or generalized forms also involves systemic
antifungals such as fluconazole.

15. Gingival lesions of genetic origin
• Hereditary gingival fibromatosis:
• It is an uncommon condition characterized by diffuse gingival
enlargement, sometimes covering major parts of or the entire tooth
surfaces. The lesions develop irrespective of effective plaque removal.

16. • Most cases are related to an autosomal dominant mode of
inheritance, but cases have been described with an autosomal
recessive background.
• The most common syndrome of HGF includes hypertrichosis, epilepsy,
and mental retardation; the latter two features, however, are not
present in all cases.

17. • The treatment is surgical removal, often in a series of gingivectomies,
but relapses are not uncommon.
• If the volume of the overgrowth is extensive, a repositioned flap to
avoid exposure of connective tissue by gingivectomy may better
achieve elimination of pseudopockets.

18. Gingival diseases of systemic origin
• A variety of mucocutaneous disorders present gingival manifestations,
sometimes in the form of desquamative lesions or ulceration of the
gingiva.

19. Lichen planus
• Lichen planus is the most common mucocutaneous disease
manifesting on the gingiva.
• The disease may affect the skin and oral as well as other mucosal
membranes in some patients, while others may present with either
skin or oral mucosal involvement alone.
• Skin lesions are characterized by papules with white striae (Wickham
striae). Itching is a common symptom, and the most frequent
locations are the flexor aspects of the arms and neck.

20. Papular form Reticular form

21. Erythematous and ulcerative form Plaque type

22. • The most characteristic clinical manifestations of the disease and the
basis of the clinical diagnosis are white papules and white striations,
usually bilaterally.
• Papular, reticular, and plaque‐type lesions usually do not give rise to
significant symptoms, whereas erythematous and ulcerative lesions
are associated with moderate to severe pain, especially in relation to
oral hygiene procedures and eating.
• The clinical diagnosis is based on the presence of papular or reticular
lesions. The diagnosis may be supported by histopathologic findings
of hyperkeratosis, degenerative changes of basal cells, and
subepithelial inflammation dominated by lymphocytes and
macrophages.

23. • When gingiva is involved, the most important part of the therapeutic
regimen is atraumatic meticulous plaque control, which results in
significant improvement in many patients.
• In painful cases who have not responded to the treatment above,
topical corticosteroids, preferably in a paste or an ointment, should
be used three times daily for a number of weeks.

24. Pemphigoid
• Pemphigoid is a group of disorders in which autoanibodies towards
components of the basement membrane result in detachment of the
epithelium from the connective tissue.
• Bullous pemphigoid predominantly affects the skin, but oral mucosal
involvement may occur.
• If only mucous membranes are affected, the term benign mucous
membrane pemphigoid (BMMP) is often used.
• The majority of affected patients are female with a mean age at onset
of 50 years or ove

25. • Any area of the oral mucosa may be involved in BMMP, but the main
manifestation is desquamative lesions of the gingiva present in as
intensely erythematous attached gingiva.
• Rubbing the gingiva may precipitate bulla formation. This is
denoted a positive Nicholsky sign and is caused by the destroyed
adhesion of the epithelium to the connective tissue.

26. • Therapy consists of professional atraumatic plaque removal and
individual instruction in gentle, but careful, daily plaque control,
eventually supplemented with daily use of chlorhexidine and/or
topical Corticosteroid application if necessary.

27. Pemphigus vulgaris:
• Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by
formation of intraepithelial bullae in skin and mucous membranes.
• Since the bulla formation is located in the spinous cell layer, the
chance of seeing an intact bulla is even more reduced than in BMMP.
• The disease may occur at any age, but is typically seen in the middle
aged or elderly, if left untreated the disease is life threatening.

28. • Intraoral onset of the disease with bulla formation is very common
and lesions of the oral mucosa, including the gingiva, are frequently
seen. Early lesions may resemble aphthous ulcers.
• Gingival involvement may present as painful desquamative lesions or
as erosions or ulcerations, which are the remains of ruptured bullae.

29. • The ulcers heal slowly, usually without scar formation, and the
disease runs a chronic course with recurring bulla formation.
• Diagnosis of PV is based on the characteristic histologic feature of
intraepithelial bulla formation due to destruction of desmosomes
resulting in acantholysis.
• Immediate referral of patients with PV to a dermatologist or internal
medicine specialist is important because when recognized late, the
disease can be fatal, although systemic corticosteroid therapy can
presently treat most cases.

30. Erythema multiforme:
• Erythema multiforme (EM) is a reactive acute, sometimes recurrent,
vesiculobullous disease affecting mucous membranes and skin.
• A general malaise often precedes the lesions.
• The spectrum of the disease is from a self‐limited, mild,
exanthematic, cutaneous variant with minimal oral involvement to a
progressive, fulminating, severe variant with extensive
mucocutaneous epithelial necrosis (Stevens–Johnson syndrome).

31. • The characteristic oral lesions comprise swollen lips often with
extensive crust formation of the vermilion border.
• The basic lesions, are bullae that rupture and leave extensive ulcers,
usually covered by heavy yellowish fibrinous exudates sometimes
described as pseudomembranes.

32. • The skin lesions are characteristic due to the iris appearance with a
central bulla surrounded by a blanched halo within an erythematous
zone.
• Although periodontal lesions are not the most frequent intraoral
manifestation, they can sometimes pose a differential diagnostic
problem.
• As for any intraoral ulcerations, gentle plaque control and
professional cleaning are mandatory. The treatment often involves
systemic corticosteroids, but topical treatment may be effective in
cases with minor lesions.

33. Allergic reactions
• Oral mucosal reactions may be type I reactions (immediate type),
which are mediated by IgE, or more often they are type IV reactions
(delayed type) mediated by T cells.
1. Reactions to dental restorative materials
2. Reactions to oral hygiene products, chewing gum, and food

34. Reactions to dental restorative materials
• The clinical manifestation of type IV allergy (contact allergy) occurs
after a period of 12–48 hours following contact with the allergen.
• Oral mucosal reactions to restorative materials include reactions to
mercury, nickel, gold, zinc, chromium, palladium, and acrylics.
• The lesions, have clinical similarities with those for OLP, which is why
they are denoted OLLs or oral leukoplakia.

35. Reactions to oral hygiene products,
chewing gum, and food:
• The constituents responsible for the allergic reactions may be flavor
additives, for instance cinnamon or preservatives.
• The clinical manifestations of allergy include a diffuse, fiery red
edematous gingivitis, sometimes with ulcerations or whitening.

36. Any question..?