Oral lichen planus: perception of oral comfort following periodontal treatment

Objectives: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that may occur concurrently with periodontal disease. The objective of this survey was, firstly, to evaluate the experience of periodontal treatment for patients with concurrent OLP and, secondly, to assess the reduction of painful recurrent symptoms of OLP. Methods: A questionnaire assessed patients’ attitude toward their treatment and oral comfort after scaling and polishing. Each item was posed as an opinion statement with a 4 point Likert response format. The respondents were thirty patients attending the Department of Periodontics for treatment of periodontal disease with concurrent OLP. Attendance frequency was either 3, 4 or 6 monthly. The subjects were deemed to have OLP by both clinical observation and biopsy. They were charted to assess the degree and type of periodontal disease. There were 4 males (13%) and 26 females (87%). Their ages ranged from 47 to 88 years (mean age: 67 years). One patient reported a history of hepatitis; one was a smoker; five patients had diabetes and one had candidal infection confirmed histologically. Results: Not surprisingly 33% of patients felt anxious about periodontal treatment and 23% found the treatment uncomfortable. However, 94% of patients found that the symptoms of OLP were less painful following periodontal treatment; 100% found their mouths easier to clean and also reported an improvement in their general mouth comfort. Patients reported a reduction in bleeding (97%) and ulceration (76%) with a reduction in the frequency of use of topical corticosteroids (93%). When graded as severe, moderate, mild and no symptoms the reduction in severity of symptoms was statistically significant (p<0.0001). Conclusion: This study indicated that a regular treatment regime for periodontal disease may also effect a reduction in the symptoms of oral lichen planus.