Abstract
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is classified into 3 major types: plaque (PLA), reticular (RET), and atrophic (ATR). This study was designed to examine the clinical and histopathological characteristics of these three types of OLP in the buccal mucosa. A total of 375 specimens of OLP (20 PLA, 20 RET, and 20 ATR) and normal buccal mucosal (NBM) were examined histopathologically. Epithelial thickness was less in ART and RET than in NBM. Epithelial thickness in RET was greater than in ATR. Mean numbers of PCNA-positive cells and CD1a-positive cells in the covering epithelium were higher in RET and PLA than in ATR and NBM. PLA, RET, and ATR types of OLP have different histopathological characteristics. Differences among these types might reflect distinct stages of disease.
