Periodontal and prosthetic treatment in patients with oral lichen planus.

The problems of periodontal and prosthetic treatment are demonstrated with a typical case of oral erosive lichen planus with gingival involvement. The results attained suggest that oral lichen can be improved by optimum plaque control and periodontal treatment. Prosthetic treatment should be based on bridgework and not on removable partial dentures owing to the isomorphous irritant effect that characterizes lichen planus. Once the plaque situation is firmly under control, even teeth with advanced destruction of the supporting tissues may be used as abutments. In the event of all molars being absent, cantilever bridges should be fitted. In this case it is not essential to replace all the molars provided that the masticatory function is subjectively adequate.