title: Prevention and treatment considerations in patients with drug-induced gingival enlargement.
abstract: Drug-induced gingival overgrowth is an iatrogenic disease caused by the use of phenytoin, cyclosporine, nifedipine, and other medications in the susceptible patient. The gingival overgrowth can be due to three causes: noninflammatory, hyperplastic reaction to the medication; chronic inflammatory hyperplasia; or a combined enlargement due to chronic inflammation and drug-induced hyperplasia. Drug-induced gingival enlargement can be minimized, but not prevented, by elimination of local irritants, meticulous oral hygiene, and regular periodontal recall. If gingival enlargement interferes with function, speech, esthetics, or oral hygiene, tissue reduction can be accomplished by gingivectomy or a flap procedure. Gingival enlargement may recur, especially in the patient with poor oral hygiene.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill 27599-7450, USA.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D019214:Gingival Overgrowth / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D005890:Gingivectomy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000009:adverse effects; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010672:Phenytoin; D016572:Cyclosporine; D009543:Nifedipine