The data from the present study show significantly higher CTGF staining in phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth tissues compared to controls, cyclosporin A-, or nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth. Moreover, semiquantitative analyses of histologic samples support the concept that the phenytoin overgrowth tissues are fibrotic. These associations suggest a possible role for CTGF in promoting development of fibrotic lesions in phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth.

Gingival overgrowth and fibrosis is a side effect of certain medications and occurs in non-drug induced forms either as inherited (human gingival fibromatosis) or idiopathic gingival overgrowth. The most fibrotic drug-induced lesions develop in response to therapy with phenytoin, the least fibrotic lesions are caused by cyclosporin A, and intermediate fibrosis occurs in nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) expression is positively related to the degree of fibrosis in these tissues. In the present study, the hypothesis was investigated that CTGF/CCN2 is expressed in human gingival fibromatosis tissues and contributes to this form of non-drug-induced gingival overgrowth. Histopathology/immunohistochemistry studies show that human gingival fibromatosis lesions are highly fibrotic, similar to phenytoin-induced lesions. Connective tissue CTGF/CCN2 levels were equivalent to the expression in phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth. The additional novel observation was made that CTGF/CCN2 is highly expressed in the epithelium of fibrotic gingival tissues. This finding was confirmed by in situ hybridization. Real time PCR analyses of RNA extracted from control and drug-induced gingival overgrowth tissues for CTGF/CCN2 were fully consistent with these findings. Finally, normal primary gingival epithelial cell cultures were analyzed for the basal and TGF-β1 or lysophosphatidic acid stimulated CTGF/CCN2 expression at the protein and RNA levels. Data indicate that fibrotic human gingival tissues express CTGF/CCN2 in both the epithelium and connective tissues and cultured gingival epithelial cells express CTGF/CCN2, and lysophosphatidic acid further stimulates CTGF/CCN2 expression. These findings suggest that interactions between epithelial and connective tissues could contribute to gingival fibrosis.

This is the first report of hereditary gingival fibromatosis associated with aggressive periodontitis. Combined treatment comprising removal of fibrotic gingival tissue and traditional flap surgery for the elimination of intrabony defects represents a unique treatment approach in periodontal therapy. Two-year follow-up revealed that both the gingival overgrowth and the destructive lesions were successfully treated.

Our findings demonstrate that clinical measurements of horizontal probing depth that use the external surfaces of roots as reference points overestimate the true anatomical component of furcation involvement in mandibular molars. Conversely, positive treatment outcomes in these teeth may be underestimated. This has implications not only for clinical practice but also for clinical research studies evaluating treatment outcomes.