title: Periodontal plastic surgery associated with treatment for the removal of gingival overgrowth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Excisional biopsies of gingival overgrowths, performed with safety margins, frequently result in mucogingival defects. These defects may produce esthetic problems and increase the chances of dentin hyperesthesia and its possibility of hindering oral hygiene.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two clinical cases are reported in which gingival overgrowths were removed by excisional biopsy, resulting in unsightly defects. The first clinical case presents an invasive approach for the treatment of a recurrent pyogenic granuloma in the anterior maxilla, and the second depicts a complete removal of a peripheral odontogenic fibroma in the posterior maxilla. In both situations, the soft-tissue defects were repaired by periodontal plastic surgery, including a laterally positioned flap and a coronally positioned flap, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Periodontal plastic surgery successfully restored the defects that resulted from biopsies, and no recurrence has been noticed in the 5-year postoperative follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of biopsy and periodontal plastic surgery in a one-step procedure seems to be suitable to remove gingival overgrowths in most areas of the mouth, regardless of esthetic significance. Such procedures seem to restore gingival health, encourage healing, and create both esthetics and function in the excised area.
authors: Department of Surgery and Integrated Clinic, Division of Periodontics, Dental School of Araçatuba, University of State of São Paulo "Júlio de Mesquita Filho," Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. afbosco@pop.com.br
authors: Alvaro Francisco
authors: AF
authors: Bosco
authors: Samara
authors: S
authors: Bonfante
authors: Danielle Shima
authors: DS
authors: Luize
authors: Joseane Maria Dias
authors: JM
authors: Bosco
authors: Valdir Gouveia
authors: VG
authors: Garcia