Gingival Melanosis: Diagnosis and Therapy of Its Aesthetic Involvement. Literature Review

Abstract

Gingival hyperpigmentation is produced by excessive melanin deposit, generating a dark gum coloring. Although it does not constitute a health issue, in some cases it usually represents an aesthetic problem that can affect psychologically, for which there are currently several treatment alternatives such as: surgery with scalpel, laser therapy, abrasion, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, among others. The aim of this literature review was to analyze the available information about gingival melanosis and the therapeutics that can be applied to improve the appearance of patients with this condition. Articles in English and Spanish, published during the period 2000-2020 in the PubMed, Medline, Scielo, Cochrane and Lilacs databases, were reviewed. It was concluded that the selection of the technique will depend on each particular case, however, the laser is the most relevant.

Despigmentación gingival y aumento de corona clínica. A propósito de un reporte de caso

“…Los melanocitos son células dendríticas de origen neuroectodérmico; funcionan independientemente de las células epiteliales circundantes y se comportan como una glándula exocrina unicelular que convierte la tirosina en melanoproteína (melanina), que se transfiere a los queratinocitos a través de los melanosomas, de esta manera la melanina se deposita en la capa basal del epitelio bucal 1, 3 .…”