Periodontal status in patients with oral lichen planus: a study of 90 cases

This study was carried out to relate periodontal status to the oral lesions in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).

Periodontal status was evaluated in 90 patients with OLP and in 52 controls, in terms of the plaque index (PII), simplified calculus index (CIS) and periodontal disease index (PDI).

No significant differences were observed between the two groups as regards the different periodontal indices. The plaque and calculus indices were higher in the more extensive forms of OLP (P = 0.02 and P = 0.012, respectively), and in the presence of gingival involvement (P = 0.004 and P = 0.04). A significant association was also observed between the presence of atrophic-erosive lesions and increased periodontal deterioration (P = 0.037).

Increased plaque and calculus deposits are associated to a significantly higher incidence of atrophic-erosive gingival lesions in patients with OLP.