DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2014.v02i08.016

Pages: 553-555

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the skin and or mucous membranes and when the etiology is known and it involves the oral mucosa it is called oral lichen lesion. Most common site is the buccal mucosa, dorsum of the tongue, gingiva and the mucosa in direct contact with the amalgam filling. The exact cause is unknown but is considered to be an autoimmune reaction. Amalgam restorations are known to cause contact hypersentivity and oral lichen lesions. Marked improvements have been seen in patients were amalgam restoration was replaced with other restorative material.