Oral lesions in patients with psoriasis: clinical presentation and management

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that rarely involves the oral cavity. In this report we describe 2 cases, initially diagnosed with cutaneous psoriasis, that present with oral lesions on the attached gingiva. The clinical appearance and differential diagnosis are presented and discussed. Case 1 describes the non-surgical management of intraoral psoriasiform lesions and the use of a free gingival graft to restore an area of gingival recession resulting from an oral lesion. The second case outlines the use of topical corticosteroid therapy as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy. Although patients with cutaneous psoriasis rarely present with oral involvement, the clinician should be aware that oral lesions may occur. Accurate diagnosis is dependent on a thorough clinical examination, a biopsy of the oral lesions, and a history of cutaneous psoriasis.