Can gingival hyperplasia caused by cyclosporin A be prevented by removing dental plaque?

Abstract

In Hungary, there are around 3500 people living with a transplanted organ, there are around 400 total donations, including between 250 and 300 kidney transplants per year. Due to the development of immunosuppression and surgical techniques, the survival rate of patients has improved, and therefore dentists are increasingly confronted with gingival hyperplasia due to immunosuppressive therapy in addition to oro-dental lesions resulting from renal failure. The prevalence of gingival hyperplasia with cyclosporin A can be as high as 90%. The aim of our study is to raise awareness of the importance of dental plaque in the development of cyclosporin A induced gingival hyperplasia and to emphasize that gingival hyperplasia and the risk of organ rejection can be prevented or greatly reduced by the development of appropriate individual oral hygiene and successful periodontal outpatient therapy. Particular mention should be paid to the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and regular patient care. Our examinations and treatments were carried out at the Division of Periodontology at the Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery of the University of Pecs, Hungary.