title: Comparison of Nd:YAG Laser and Surgical Stripping for Treatment of Gingival Hyperpigmentation: A Clinical Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare surgical stripping and neodymium-doped: yttrium, aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser techniques for gingival depigmentation and to evaluate their effect on repigmentation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Gingival depigmentation is often associated with repigmentation. Recurrence of pigmentation differs according to different treatment modalities.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 40 maxillary sites from 20 patients presenting bilateral melanin gingival hyperpigmentation were selected. Contralateral quadrants in the maxilla were randomly assigned to receive Nd:YAG laser at 3 W, 30 mJ per pulse, with contact mode, and with a handpiece with a 300 μm diameter optic fiber and surgical stripping. Plaque index, Dummett Oral Pigmentation Index (DOPI), Hedin melanin index, size of pigmented area, time interval and extent of repigmentation, time taken for each of the procedures, assessment of pain, intraoperative bleeding index, and patient preference were compared from baseline to 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison between Nd:YAG laser and surgical stripping group for plaque index, DOPI, Hedin index, size of pigmented area, time interval, and extent of repigmentation, at 6 months was statistically nonsignificant. Intergroup comparison for time taken, pain, and patient preference was statistically significant. Intragroup comparison for Nd:YAG laser and surgical stripping at 6 months for DOPI, Hedin index, and size of pigmented area was statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From the present study it can be concluded that Nd:YAG laser can be used as an alternative technique for gingival depigmentation. However, surgical stripping continues to remain as a cost-effective procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre , Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Mohammed Irfan
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Basha
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre , Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Rashmi Vivek
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Hegde
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre , Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sumanth
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre , Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Salman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sayyed
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre , Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Anupriya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tiwari
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre , Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Sangeeta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muglikar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult