Gingival Depigmentation Using Scalpel Technique: A Case Report

Ranjita Shrestha Gorkhali,Binod Adhikari,Sunil Pradhan

doi:10.3126/jnspoi.v1i1.23538

Abstract

Excessive gingival pigmentation is a major esthetic concern for many people. Though, it is not a medical problem, many people complain of dark gums as unaesthetic. Gingival hyperpigmentation is believed to be a genetic trait in populations and is more appropriately termed physiologic or racial gingival pigmentation; a condition, which affects all races differently. Gingival pigmentation can be removed for esthetic reasons using methods like chemical cauterization, bur abrasion, scalpel surgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, gingival grafts and laser techniques. A case is reported here where surgical depigmentation was performed.

Highlights

Physiological pigmentation of the oral mucosa is clinically manifested as multifocal or diffuse melanin pigmentation with variable amount in different ethnic groups.[1]
A 34 year old female patient reported to Department of Dental Surgery, Periodontology and Oral Implantology unit, Bir Hospital, with a chief complaint of blackish discoloration of the upper and lower front gingival regions (Figure 1) which she felt as esthetically unappealing
Four factors are responsible for giving color to the gingiva, they are - vascular supply, thickness of the epithelium, degree of keratinization of epithelium, and presence of pigmentcontaining cells

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Physiological pigmentation of the oral mucosa is clinically manifested as multifocal or diffuse melanin pigmentation with variable amount in different ethnic groups.[1]. A 34 year old female patient reported to Department of Dental Surgery, Periodontology and Oral Implantology unit, Bir Hospital, with a chief complaint of blackish discoloration of the upper and lower front gingival regions (Figure 1) which she felt as esthetically unappealing. The discoloration was not associated with other symptoms like paresthesia, ulceration or discharge Gingival depigmentation using scalpel technique: a case report. Adhikari B, Pradhan S, Gorkhali RS : Gingival Depigmentation Using Scalpel Technique : A Case Report. Optimal duration of freezing is not known, but prolonged freezing increases tissue destruction.[6] Depigmentation with lasers achieves good results, but they require sophisticated equipment, and are expensive.[7]. The gingiva appeared healthy and no repigmentation was observed at the end of 9 months (Figure 3)

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION