The Treatment of Drug-induced Gingival Overgrowth : Clinical Assessment of 15 Cases

Abstract

Drug-induced gingival overgrowth is one of the side effects associated with several drugs. The definitive modality for treatment of drug-induced gingival overgrowth has been still discussed. Drug-induced gingival overgrowth in 15 patients who had undergone several types of treatment was classified according to gingival type. Based on these results, the treatment of drug-induced gingival overgrowth is discussed.
Discontinuation of the drug resulted in disappearance of gingival overgrowth in 3 cases regardless of gingival type. Drug administration was continued in 12 cases. When dark red and soft gingiva (inflammatory type) was observed, the overgrowth gingiva was treated effectively by debridement. Where patients had pink and elastic gingiva (fibrous type) however, debridement produced no improvement in the condition. Patients in whom both inflammatory and fibrous gingiva (combined type) was observed, some improvement as a result of debridement was noted. Patients of either fibrous type or combined type required follow-up periodontal surgery to correct the problem completely.
Based on these results, discontinuation of drug administration should be considered. When this is not possible, treatment should be prescribed according to the enlarged gingival type.