Chronic Suppurative Gingivitis: A Rare Manifestation of Lichen Planus Following SARS-COV 2 Infection

Abstract

Post-COVID-19 chronic suppurative gingivitis is an emerging clinical entity that has attracted increasing interest in the medical and dental community because of its association with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and its prolonged and potentially debilitating manifestation in the periodontal system. This article provides a comprehensive review of this entity, addressing its epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and current therapeutic approaches. The epidemiology of post-COVID-19 chronic suppurative gingivitis is characterized by its occurrence following SARS-CoV-2 infection, with a variable incidence in convalescent patients. A higher prevalence has been observed in individuals with underlying systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension, suggesting an individual susceptibility component. From a pathogenic perspective, it has been postulated that SARS-CoV-2 infection could trigger an overactive immune response and chronic inflammation at the gingival level, contributing to persistent suppurative gingivitis. The involvement of viral factors and host response in the pathogenesis of this entity are under ongoing investigation. The clinical presentation of post-COVID-19 chronic suppurative gingivitis includes characteristic signs such as gingivorrhage, gingival edema, superficial ulcerations, and the production of purulent exudate in the gums. These findings, in combination with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, are critical for diagnosis.