Laser versus conventional surgery in management of hereditary gingival fibromatosis - Case series

Abstract

Purpose: The goal of the presente article is to help the clinican to compare the clinical outcome of gingivectomy with laser versus conventional surgery. Case report: A 15 yrs old male patient reported with generalized hereditary gingival enlargement with clinical aspect of gingiva covering one third of dental crowns. No exposure to drugs like phenytoin, cyclosporine or calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine. There was no other medical history such as bone deformities or mentally retardation. Family history reveals hereditary gingival enlargement. On examination of patient “A” siblings also showed similar characteristic gingival features. Based on these facts differential diagnosis was made between “drug induced gingival enlargement” and “hereditary gingival fibromatosis” and confirmed with histopathological findings. Conclusions: Patients were subjected to 2 modalities of treatment in a split mouth; laser and conventional gingivectomy. Patient was more comfortable (was measured on a scale from 1 to 10 using visual analog scale) during and after treatment and healing was also faster and recurrence was delayed in laser technique.