The efficacy of three different surgical techniques in the management of drug-induced gingival overgrowth.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of three different surgical techniques in both the management and effect upon rate of overgrowth recurrence of drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO).


METHODS
Two cohorts of patients who required surgical correction of their DIGO participated in the study. After baseline periodontal measures (plaque index, gingival inflammation and probing pocket depths), the patients underwent surgery. A split-mouth, crossover design was used to compare conventional gingivectomy with flap surgery (n=27), and conventional gingivectomy with laser excision (n=23). The main outcome variable was the rate of recurrence of DIGO following surgery.


RESULTS
At 6 months, there was significantly less recurrence (p=0.05) in patients treated with laser excision, compared with those treated by conventional gingivectomy. The differences in rate of recurrence of DIGO were also reflected in changes in several periodontal parameters. Flap surgery offered no advantage over conventional gingivectomy with respect to the rate of recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
DIGO can be managed by a variety of techniques. Laser excision results in a reduced rate of recurrence.
Mavrogiannis
M
M
School of Dental Sciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Ellis
J S
JS
Seymour
R A
RA
Thomason
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019214:Gingival Overgrowth / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000601:surgery*; D005890:Gingivectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification; D012008:Recurrence; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents