RESUMO
Hyperplasia of the gingivae may occur as a secondary reaction in the treatment of epilepsy with diphenylhydantoin sodium. This study is intended to investigate the incidence and dharacteristics of gingival hyperplasia in 124 epileptic patients taking diphenylhydantoin longstandingly. The results are as follows: 1. The incidence of diphenylhydantoin induced gingival hyperplasia is approximately 69.4%. 2. The individual tolerance or sensitivity may determine the incidence and severity of gingival hyperplasia and are not directly related with the duration of drug use and its dosage. 3. Gingival hyperplasia is more frequent in female patients and younger patients than male and older. 4. There is no direct relationship betwwen occurance of gingival hyperplasia and meticulous oral hygiene. 5. The mechanism involved in a causation of diphenylhydantoin induced gingival hyperplasia has not been elucidated. 6. We recommand that diphenylhydantoin may be prescribed as the drug of the first choice for the control of epileptic seizure in the adolescent female patients and children especially receiving certain dental treatments.