The relevance and effect of amalgam replacement in subjects with oral lichenoid reactions

S. H. Ibbotson, E. L. Speight, R. I. Macleod, E. R. Smart, C. M. Lawrence

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    61 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In this study we examined the prevalence of mercury hypersensitivity in patients with oral lichenoid reactions (OLR) and the effect of amalgam replacement in subjects with amalgams adjacent to OLR irrespective of their mercury sensitivity status. One hundred and ninety-seven patients with oral problems were examined: 109 with OLR, 22 with oral and generalized lichen planus, and 66 with other oral diagnoses, including aphthous ulcers and orofacial granulomatosis. Nineteen per cent of patients with OLR reacted to mercury on patch testing, significantly more than in those with generalized lichen planus (0%) and in those with other oral diagnoses (3%). Twenty-two patients with OLR and adjacent amalgams had amalgam replacement and, in 16 of 17 mercury-positive subjects and three of four mercury-negative subjects, the OLR resolved after amalgam removal. In conclusion, we found a significantly increased prevalence of mercury hypersensitivity in patients with localized OLR in comparison to subjects with other oral problems. Amalgam replacement resulted in resolution of OLR in the majority of patients with amalgams adjacent to OLR irrespective of their mercury sensitivity status.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)420-423
    Number of pages4
    JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology
    Volume134
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 1996

    Keywords

    • Mouth Diseases
    • Drug Eruptions
    • Humans
    • Adult
    • Mercury
    • Middle Aged
    • Lichenoid Eruptions
    • Male
    • Female
    • Dental Amalgam

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