Severe postpartum gingival enlargement.
BACKGROUND
Gingival enlargement is a clinical condition that has been widely studied and is directly associated with specific local or systemic conditions. It is very rare that gingival enlargement presents without a clear underlying etiology.


METHODS
A 24-year-old African American female presented with gingival enlargement that manifested postpartum and was most likely related to changes in estrogen/progesterone. The gingival enlargement was treated with non-surgical and surgical periodontal therapies.


RESULTS
There was no evidence of recurrence of the gingival enlargement at 9 years post-treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The etiology in this case remains unclear and could not be strongly supported by any reports in the literature. Future studies on gingival enlargement may explain such an unusual clinical occurrence.
McLeod
Dwight E
DE
Department of Applied Dental Medicine, Section of Periodontology, Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, Alton, IL, USA.
Stoeckel
Daniel
D
Contreras
Juan
J
Reyes
Elio
E
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012534:Dental Scaling; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005885:Gingival Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005890:Gingivectomy; D005893:Gingivoplasty; D006801:Humans; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine