Individual Diagnosis
We know that white blood cells involved in inflammation appear to be activated. Oral lichen planus is essentially an immune disorder but the triggers involved can vary from person to person.
Normally safe medication can be a cause, injury to your mouth, other infections, an allergic reaction to dental materials, or any introduced agent. As much as the condition causes stress, this can also be stress induced.
Your case will be assessed by a maxillofacial consultant at our London clinic, with sound knowledge of lichen planus. From a physical examination, to medical history, to how you feel and the symptoms you are having.
Subtle symptom differences can be pointers in themselves to a specialist. They can also arrange blood tests, allergy tests, cellular testing for secondary infection, or carefully carry out a biopsy.
They may eliminate options such as lupus, confirm immune system proteins associated with oral lichen planus and assist in identifying a specific cause.
Treating Oral Lichen Planus
Where your oral lichen planus can be tied to a specific trigger, perhaps a drug, or allergen, the issue can be addressed quite quickly.
Short term, or longer term analgaesic mouthwash, ointments or gels can alleviate symptoms. Treatment can also focus on helping unpleasant lesions to heal.
If no definitive cause can be established, topical (locally applied) corticosteroids are often effective. A course of systemic (swallowed) corticosteroids is an option in more serious cases.
As with other immune response medication, potential side effects need to be weighed up against benefits and against your unique health profile.
Support At Our Clinic
The best path for you will be your consultant’s focus. From decisions on treatment and medication, to advice on diet, or approaches to oral hygiene.
Stating there is always a cure for oral lichen planus would be quite wrong. This will apply in a proportion of cases, in others, symptoms can be managed and improved, to bring a better quality of life.
For those cases and in others, regular monitoring by your consultant will make sense. To alleviate flare ups before they become too much and because there may be a risk of mouth cancer developing in affected areas.
Our staff are here to help and arrange the best support, short and long term. You are welcome to get in touch with our Harley Street clinic at any time.