Oral lichen planus: a review

Abstract

Oral lichen planus is a disease that can persist in some patients for a long time. The buccal mucosa, tongue and gingiva are the most common sites, whereas palatal lesions are uncommon. Oral lichen planus affects women more often than men in a ratio of 2:3. It can present in a number of forms: reticular, papular, plaque-like, erosive, atrophic and bullous. The question of malignant transformation of oral lichen planus remains controversial. The management can be non-surgical or surgical and the choice of treatment may vary from patient to patient and depends on the choice of the clinician.