Gingival Enlargement: Revisited: A Case Series.

Gingival enlargement can be hereditary or acquired. More than 20 prescription medications are associated with gingival overgrowth. A detailed review on the risk factors and pathogenesis from various peer reviewed journals has been discussed in this article. The aim was to discuss the role of drugs causing gingival enlargement, the hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) and its possible pathogenesis. The following case series highlights four cases of gingival enlargement, one being a case of HGF and the other three being drug-induced gingival enlargement. Variable etiopathogenesis such as age, genetic predisposition, pharmacokinetic variables, tissue homeostasis, inflammation and growth factors have been associated with this disease. Inflammatory changes that occur within the gingival tissues appear to orchestrate the interaction between the “modified fibroblast” and the drug. Alternatively, these drugs influence directly the inflammatory response in the form of enlargement. This information is valuable for the clinician as it will have implication to treat the patient effectively.

Association between gingivitis and anterior gingival enlargement in subjects undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association among gingival enlargement (GE), periodontal conditions and socio-demographic characteristics in subjects undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. METHODS: A sample of 330 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment for at least 6 months were examined by a single calibrated examiner for plaque and gingival indexes, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and gingival enlargement. Socio-economic background, orthodontic treatment duration and use of dental floss were assessed by oral interviews. Associations were assessed by means of unadjusted and adjusted Poisson's regression models. RESULTS: The presence of gingival bleeding (RR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00-1.01) and excess resin around brackets (RR 1.02; 95% CI 1.02-1.03) were associated with an increase in GE. No associations were found between socio-demographic characteristics and GE. CONCLUSION: Proximal anterior gingival bleeding and excess resin around brackets are associated with higher levels of anterior gingival enlargement in subjects under orthodontic treatment. .

OBJETIVO: o objetivo desse estudo foi verificar a associação entre volume gengival (AG) com condições periodontais e características sócio-demográficas em sujeitos com aparelho ortodônticos fixo. MÉTODOS: uma amostra, de 330 participantes com aparelho ortodôntico fixo, por pelo menos seis meses, foi examinada, por um único examinador calibrado, para os índices de placa e gengivais, profundidade de sondagem, nível de inserção clínico e aumento de volume gengival. O status socioeconômico, tempo com aparelho ortodôntico fixo e uso de fio dental foram verificados por entrevista oral. A verificação das associações foi realizada por meio de modelos de regressão de Poisson sem ajuste e ajustados. RESULTADOS: a presença de sangramento gengival (RR 1.01; 95% IC 1.00-1.01) e o excesso de resina em torno dos braquetes (RR 1.02; 95% IC 1.02-1.03) foram associadas a um aumento do AG. Não foram encontradas associações entre características sócio-demográficas e AG. CONCLUSÃO: sangramento gengival proximal na região anterior e excesso de resina no entorno dos braquetes estão associados a níveis mais altos de aumento de volume gengival na região anterior em sujeitos com aparelho ortodôntico fixo. .

Gingival overgrowth and drug association: A review.

Drugs used locally or systemically induce several alterations in micro and macroscopic tissues. However, nearly 20 drugs have been reported so far in the literature associated with gingival enlargement. Many systemic diseases have limited therapeutic options and such drugs or their metabolites have an adverse influence on different systems/organs, and one of these is that they initiate or accelerate the overgrowth of gingival tissue. The increase in size may be to the extent that teeth may be partially or completely covered, and the resultant 'gummy smile' may result in aesthetic concern for the patient.In the presence of bacterial inflammation in the gingiva, many of these drugs enhance the production of collagen by fibroblast cells, and simultaneously retard the destruction of collagen and hence increase the bulk of gingival tissue. It is apparent that there is a subpopulation of fibroblasts which is sensitive to these drugs. The exuberant growth of gingival tissue is of great aesthetic concern, which may require mechanical removal of bacterial plaque, calculus, and surgical intervention, and/or substitution of the drug with analogs. A relatively healthy oral environment provided by the dentist will reduce local microflora that will help in eliminating the major focus of infection. Physicians, general practitioners, and dentists need to make a coordinated and concise treatment plan that will be beneficial for the patients. This article will facilitate full information to physicians to involve dentists in the multidisciplinary treatment plan.