Drug-influenced Gingival Enlargement: Overview of the Clinical Features and Assessment Methods

Abstract

Drug-influenced gingival enlargement is an unwanted effect of the gingiva affecting patients’ aesthetic as well as oral hygiene procedures. The presentation of the enlargement may range from mild to severe by which the chewing function could also be affected. Patients usually were not aware of this condition until they feel discomfort, thus seek for treatment. This review will discuss the overview of common drugs that influence gingival enlargement, its clinical features, previous and current methods of assessment to determine the severity of the gingival enlargement. The review will serve as a guide for clinician in making diagnosis and treatment plan of such condition.

Surgical Intervention on Drug-Influenced Gingival Enlargement using Diode Laser Therapy

“…The interdental papilla area has a greater predisposition to develop gingival enlargement (GE) than the marginal gingiva due to several specific molecular compounds involved in the wound healing process. For example, surface receptors, procollagen type I, fibronectin, glycosaminoglycans and growth factors [13,14]. It may extend coronally as the tissue enlarges and become thickened and lobulated in appearance [15].…”