Contact lichenoid reaction in the oral cavity: A comprehensive focus on amalgam restoration

Abstract

For many years, amalgam was the preferred repair material; however, because of worries about aesthetics, mercury toxicity, and the development of lichenoid diseases, its use has decreased. The oral mucosa has a reaction known as the oral lichenoid lesion (OLL). Dental materials, particularly amalgam, medications, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), are among the backgrounds of OLL. When restorative materials, most frequently amalgam, come into close touch with the mucosa in hypersensitive people, OLL to dental materials might result. The aim of this review paper is to introduce different aspects of OLL, especially amalgam restorations. The oral mucosa may experience type IV hypersensitivity responses to amalgam and, or its constituents. The clinical appearance, absence of migrations, and direct connection with the afflicted mucosa with the amalgam restorations are often used to confirm the diagnosis. In this regard, dental professionals should considered the OLL incidence around amalgam restorations. In most cases, OLL may be resolved by replacing amalgam restorations with non-metallic restorations. Therefore, a helpful prognostic marker is a topographic link between OLL and amalgam restoration.