[Rapidly progressive periodontitis combined with plasma cell gingivitis: a case report]

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Periodontology
• Oral Pathology

Background:

• Plasma cell gingivitis (PCG) is characterized by gingival enlargement, often linked to hypersensitivity reactions to antigens like food flavorings.
• Typically, PCG does not cause attachment loss, distinguishing it from other periodontal diseases.
• Rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) involves swift destruction of periodontal tissues and loss of attachment.

Observation:

• A patient presented with features of both PCG and RPP, including marked gingival enlargement and rapid loss of periodontal attachment.
• Clinical signs of PCG included erythematous, friable, and easily bleeding gingiva.
• Histological examination confirmed dense plasma cell infiltration, typical of PCG.

Findings:

• The co-occurrence of PCG and RPP presented a diagnostic challenge, necessitating differential diagnosis through histological and ultrastructural examination.
• Despite intensive plaque control and conventional periodontal therapy, PCG was not completely resolved.
• Allergenic triggers for the PCG could not be definitively identified in this case.

Implications:

• This case underscores the complexity of diagnosing and managing combined periodontal conditions.
• Effective management strategies are crucial for controlling gingival enlargement and preventing further attachment loss in such cases.
• Further research into identifying specific allergens and developing targeted therapies for PCG is warranted.