Related Experiment Videos
Oral lichen planus and dental materials: a case-control study
Michael D Martin1, Steven Broughton, Mark Drangsholt
1Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. mickeym@u.washington.edu
Contact Dermatitis
|October 9, 2003
Summary
Dental material corrosion and contact between dissimilar metals, not the materials themselves, are linked to oral lichen planus (OLP). This study found that amalgam corrosion and galvanic effects from bimetallism increase OLP risk.
Area of Science:
- Oral Medicine
- Dental Materials Science
- Immunodermatology
Background:
- Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition with multifactorial etiology.
- The role of dental materials as potential triggers or exacerbating factors for OLP remains an area of investigation.
- Previous research has explored associations between various dental restorations and OLP, with varying results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between specific dental materials and oral lichen planus (OLP).
- To specifically examine the influence of amalgam, amalgam corrosion, gold restorations, and the galvanic effect of dissimilar metals in contact on OLP risk.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- 43 OLP cases and 78 controls were recruited from the School of Dentistry, University of Washington.
- Data collection included health histories, oral examinations, charting of metal restorations, assessment of amalgam corrosion, and identification of dissimilar metals in contact.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between the presence of amalgam or gold restorations and OLP risk.
- A significantly increased risk of OLP was associated with the mean amalgam corrosion score (OR = 5.74).
- The presence of dissimilar metals in continuous contact (bimetallism) showed a trend toward increased OLP risk (OR = 1.25).
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that amalgam corrosion and the galvanic effect from bimetallism are associated with an increased risk of OLP.
- The mere presence of amalgam or gold dental materials is not directly linked to OLP development.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the association between dental material degradation/interactions and OLP pathogenesis.