Oral Lichen Planus - my new dental treatment plan...

Posted by fdixon63 @fdixon63, Sep 12 8:05am

I am so frustrated with my current dentist. I am loosing teeth - six in the last year and another currently needs to be pulled - also have a partial they keep having to adjust and/or remake as the anchor teeth are now gone. I requested he refer me to "someone else" either another dentist or maxillofacial specialist, etc. I told him I was willing to travel. He referred me to a periodontist in a larger town 20 miles away. My first visit was yesterday and I'm hopeful. I'd previously been told that my gums and/or bones would not be supportive enough for implants or even dentures. This periodontist said one thing that he feels would work for me is a denture and use perhaps three implants to secure the the denture in place. He wants to first get my OLP in better condition and then do cleanings every 3 months. I'm to use Dexamethasone rinse four times a day. He also agreed that the one tooth that was questionable with the other dentist is loose and needs to come out. Luckily it is not an anchor tooth. Are there any of you that have been in this situation, i.e. have OLP, weak gums and bones that have had dentures with implants? Appreciate the replies.

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minnesota10 | @minnesota10 | Sep 12 8:50am

I am so sorry to hear about all your problems.
The first implant I had they added some bone to area.
My question what is going on with your bones. I would get a good check up Get a bone density test and so on.
And sit down with your family doctor he or she might be able to help.
I’ve had lichen planus for over 50 years.
Good luck

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Sep 13 10:31am

In reply to @minnesota10 "I am so sorry to hear about all your problems. The first implant I had they..." + (show)

Thanks for the reply minnesota10. Your question, "What is going on with your bones?" is one I've asked each medical person I see. Other than "take calcium" is the only response I've received. I began getting bone density tests in 2002 and I'm osteopenic. It's like riding a downhill runaway train that I can't stop. I take it you're a Minnesotan--I married a guy from Austin. Best to you.

metta | @metta | Sep 13 9:51pm

What does OLP have to do with tooth loss? I have OLP and have noticed some back teeth seem a little wiggly, but is this because of OLP or just getting older and maybe not so great oral care? I haven't been to the dentist for a while . I also have been diagnosed with osteopenia . Looking for someone, maybe ENT to treat the OLP. Not sure what to do at this point. And I think OLP might be spreading to the corners of my mouth and upper lip. Yikes ! Is this treatable? Thank you for any advice.

minnesota10 | @minnesota10 | Sep 14 12:21pm

I had a mouth guard that was too tight. I noticed my teeth changing color. I stop wearing the mouth guard and things improve. Just a thought.

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Sep 15 1:10pm

In reply to @metta "What does OLP have to do with tooth loss? I have OLP and have noticed some..." + (show)

Hi metta. To answer you question, "What does OLP have to do with tooth loss?" I don't know. I'm in search of answers myself. It seemed to be a possible and/or logical reason. I encourage you to get serious in seeing a dentist. Those "wiggly" teeth you talked about will, most likely, get worse not better. Also if they have a live root the pain can be awful and will effect you being able to eat properly. The person who previously did biopsies to diagnose and prescribe my OLP is a dermatologist. Some meds he prescribed were Clobetasol 0.05% ointment, Triamcinolone 0.1% Dental Paste. The periodontist (last week) prescribed
dexamethasone mouthwash (swish 4X a day, then rinse with water.) Do you mind sharing your age? I just turned 79. OLP cannot be cured but you can do things to keep it calmed so your quality of life can be improved. I also have lichen planus on other places on my body. I believe it can be responsible for my many squamous cancers. I hope this is helpful.

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Sep 15 1:17pm

In reply to @minnesota10 "I had a mouth guard that was too tight. I noticed my teeth changing color. I..." + (show)

I also used to wear a full mouth guard. It was not tight. Because I lost so many teeth I did some major trimming and it only is positioned in the front of my mouth. It's not a perfect situation but I'll use it until I know the final outcome with my situation. Thanks.

rashida | @rashida | Sep 16 4:19pm

In reply to @fdixon63 "Hi metta. To answer you question, "What does OLP have to do with tooth loss?" I..." + (show)

@metta and @fdixon63 I have suffered from Lichen Planus for years too. Went from dentist to dentist to oral maxillofacial specialist to dermatologists and finally found some relief by going to an oral pathologist who tried rinses, etc. which didn’t work so he prescribed Lyderm gel, which has been the only thing that has worked! It usually clears OLP up in seven days (not to be used long term), but because my mouth was so bad it took ten days.

There is no cure for OLP but for me it is kept in control by using Lyderm gel whenever I have a flare up.

metta | @metta | Sep 16 4:28pm

Thank you so much for your response. I'll check the Lyderm gel out.

rashida | @rashida | Sep 16 4:31pm

In reply to @metta "Thank you so much for your response. I'll check the Lyderm gel out." + (show)

@metta it’s available only on prescription - in Canada at least. It comes in gel and cream form, but only gel form is recommended for the mouth as it is topical being used off label.

spondee | @spondee | Sep 17 7:32am

In reply to @rashida "@metta and @fdixon63 I have suffered from Lichen Planus for years too. Went from dentist to..." + (show)

Would you mind telling us the application instructions recommended by your specialist. I tried a corticosteroid too but it didn't help; however, I'm not sure I was using it correctly. I found it really hard to use in the wet environment of the mouth. Thanks!

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