A clinical study on the removal of gingival melanin pigmentation with the CO(2) laser.
OBJECTIVE
In a previous study, the possibility of removal of dog gingival melanin pigmentation with CO(2) laser therapy was reported. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the CO(2) laser on human gingival pigmentation and evaluate the clinical outcome.


METHODS
A CO(2) laser (output: 6-8 W, pulse duration: 0.2 seconds) was irradiated on the melanin pigmented gingival surface of 10 patients, aged 20-49 years. Follow-up clinical and histopathological evaluations were performed.


RESULTS
The CO(2) laser was effective in removing melanin pigmentation in all patients. In the histopathological study, no pigmented-laden cells nor any inflammatory cell infiltration was observed following laser irradiation. No re-pigmentation was seen in any case in the first year. However, four of seven cases showed re-pigmentation at 24 months. The re-pigmentation was almost equal to the preoperative state.


CONCLUSIONS
The CO(2) laser has proved to be another effective, safe, and easily applicable therapy for the removal of gingival melanin pigmentation.
Nakamura
Y
Y
Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Showa University, Kitasenzoku, Ohta-ku, Tokyo 145-8515, Japan. yukio@senzoku.showa-u.ac.jp
Hossain
M
M
Hirayama
K
K
Matsumoto
K
K
D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002245:Carbon Dioxide