title: A comparison of different gingival depigmentation techniques: ablation by erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and abrasion by rotary instruments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare two different gingival depigmentation techniques using an erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser and rotary instruments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two patients with melanin pigmentation of gingiva were treated with different gingival depigmentation techniques. Ablation of the gingiva by Er:YAG laser was performed on the right side, and abrasion with a rotary round bur on the opposite side.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients were satisfied with the esthetically significant improvement with each method. However, some pigment still remained on the marginal gingival and papilla. The visual analog scale did not yield much difference between the two methods, with slightly more pain on the Er:YAG laser treated site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of these cases suggest that ablation of the gingiva by an Er:YAG laser and abrasion with a rotary round bur is good enough to achieve esthetic satisfaction and fair wound healing without infection or severe pain. Prudent care about the gingival condition, such as the gingival thickness and degree of pigmentation along with appropriate assessment is needed in ablation by the Er:YAG laser procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Kyung Hee University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Myung
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dong-Yeol
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seung-Il
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Young-Hyuk
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Jong-Hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Yeek
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Herr