Premium
Drug‐induced gingival enlargement: Biofilm control and surgical therapy with gallium–aluminum–arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser—A 2‐year follow‐up
Author(s) -
De Oliveira Guaré Renata,
Costa Soraya Carvalho,
Baeder Fernando,
De Souza Merli Luiz Antonio,
Dos Santos Maria Teresa Botti Rodrigues
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.2009.00126.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gingivectomy , gingival enlargement , oral hygiene , dentistry , surgery
Drug‐induced gingival enlargement has been reported in patients treated with various types of anticonvulsant drugs, and is generally associated with the presence of plaque, gingival inflammation, and a genetic predisposition. Effective treatment includes daily oral hygiene and periodic professional prophylaxis. However, in some patients, surgical removal of the gingival tissue overgrowth becomes necessary. The patient in this case report was mentally impaired and had severe drug‐induced gingival enlargement. This report describes the initial protocol, the gingivectomy, and a 2‐year follow‐up. A diode laser was used as an effective and safe method to remove the patient's overgrown gingival tissue.