Categories
Change Password!
Reset Password!
Clobetasol and tacrolimus markedly reduce pain and lesion severity in desquamative gingivitis while emerging therapies like platelet-rich plasma and nano-vitamin gels show promising adjunctive benefits.
In a systematic review spanning over three decades (from 1990 to 2023) of research, pharmacological treatments for desquamative gingivitis (DG)—a chronic, painful inflammatory condition affecting the gums—have been rigorously evaluated, offering new evidence-based guidance for clinical management.
The review analyzed 624 records identified through 7 electronic databases, supplemented by manual searches of reference lists. Ultimately, 15 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria, encompassing cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, and non-randomized trials. Study quality, assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), ranged from 5 to 7, with a mean score of 5.57, depicting generally moderate methodological rigor.
Among pharmacological agents, clobetasol was the most frequently studied (53.33% of studies) and illustrated consistent decrease in pain and lesion severity. Tacrolimus, examined in 26.67% of studies, also showed prominent clinical improvements, reinforcing its role as a first-line therapy. Short-term follow-up indicated no relapses in clobetasol-treated patients. Emerging interventions such as platelet-rich plasma and bio-adhesive gels containing propolis or nano-vitamin formulations exhibited encouraging results, specifically when used as adjunctive therapies, though evidence remains limited.
Despite the progress, assessment of quality of life in DG patients remains sparse, with only one study employing a validated instrument (Oral Health Impact Profile [OHIP-14]). Adverse events varied depending on the pharmacological approach. Topical therapies were generally linked with mild and transient side effects, while systemic treatments carried higher risks, including hemolysis and candidiasis.
Recurrence rates were inconsistently reported across studies, underscoring the requisition for long-term evaluations. To sum up, tacrolimus and clobetasol are the most beneficial and safe pharmacological treatments for DG. Novel therapies, including platelet-rich plasma and nano-vitamin-based gels, yield prospective alternatives, but need additional validation in larger trials.
BMC Oral Health
The efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatment of desquamative gingivitis: a systematic review
Dhanushka Leuke Bandara et al.
Comments (0)