Periodontal Status in Patients With Oral Lichen Planus: A Case–Control Study

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate periodontitis prevalence and severity, and number of RT1 gingival recessions in Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) patients compared with non-OLP controls. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted between 2024 and 2025 at the Oral Medicine Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy. A total of 176 individuals were enrolled: 88 histologically confirmed OLP patients and 88 age/sex-matched controls. Periodontal status was assessed using major clinical indices and classified according to the 2017 AAP/EFP case definition. Ethics Committee UCSC, ID-7603; ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07597616). RESULTS: Periodontitis prevalence was significantly higher in OLP patients than controls (71.6% vs. 51.1%; OR: 2.99; 95% CI: 1.44-6.21, p = 0.03) as was severe periodontitis (48.9% vs. 30.7%; OR: 3.06; 95% CI: 1.44-6.47, p = 0.004). RT1 recessions were more frequent in OLP (p = 0.008). A significant association between mean CAL and OLP severity was identified (OR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.03-2.72; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with OLP showed a higher prevalence of periodontitis and a higher prevalence of severe forms in the overall study population. The association with RT1 recessions in the absence of periodontitis suggests a relationship between mucosal inflammation on periodontal tissues and should be further explored.