Traumatic lesions of the gingiva: a case series.
BACKGROUND
The most recent classification of periodontal diseases includes a new section on traumatic gingival lesions. Traumatic lesions of the gingiva are thought to be highly prevalent, yet the periodontal literature contains few references on the topic. The purpose of this article is to present a broad spectrum of traumatic gingival lesions of iatrogenic, accidental, and factitious origin.


METHODS
Twelve clinical cases were selected to document chemical (due to aspirin, snuff, and peroxide), physical (due to malocclusion, flossing, removable partial denture, oral piercing, and self-inflicted trauma), and thermal (due to overheated ultrasonic scaler, hot food, and ice) injury to the gingiva.


RESULTS
Chemical, physical, and thermal gingival injuries of iatrogenic, accidental, or factitious origin can have a variety of presentations with overlapping clinical features. Although the appearance and associated symptoms of a gingival lesion may be suggestive of a particular traumatic etiology, useful or confirmatory diagnostic information is often discovered through careful history-taking. The management of gingival injuries typically requires elimination of the insult and symptomatic therapy. If permanent gingival defects resulted from the injury, periodontal plastic surgery may be necessary.


CONCLUSIONS
A variety of chemical, physical, and thermal injuries may involve the gingiva. Accidental and iatrogenic injuries are often acute and self-limiting, while factitious injuries tend to be more chronic in nature.
Rawal
Swati Y
SY
Section of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University Health Sciences Center, Columbus, OH 43218-2357, USA.
Claman
Lewis J
LJ
Kalmar
John R
JR
Tatakis
Dimitris N
DN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000009:adverse effects; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000293:injuries*; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D007053:Ice / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D016877:Oxidants / Q000009:adverse effects; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000009:adverse effects; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects
D000700:Analgesics; D007053:Ice; D016877:Oxidants; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D001241:Aspirin