Gingival Melanin Depigmentation With Diode Laser - Case Report / Despigmentación Melánica Gingival con Láser de Diodo - Relato de Caso

ABSTRACT: The pigmented lesions of the oral cavity may be endogenous or exogenous. Endogenous lesions are benign and usually caused by melanin, and they are called gingival melanin pigmentations. Among the options for depigmenting these areas, laser therapy stands out for being a minimally invasive procedure. This study aims to report a clinical case of the gingival depigmentation technique using a high-power diode laser in the anterior maxillary region, for the ablation of the pigmented tissue to improve gingival aesthetics. The patient had an aesthetic complaint of the darkened aspect of the gingiva in the anterior maxillary and mandibular portions. After local anesthesia, we started depigmentation with high-power diode laser and performed ablation from the attached gingiva toward the free marginal gingiva. The patient returned after 30 and 180 days presenting healthy gingiva and absence of melanin repigmentation. Thus, we concluded that the diode laser was a good alternative for melanin depigmentation because it is a procedure with lower morbidity and satisfactory postoperative results.

RESUMEN: Las lesiones pigmentadas de la cavidad oral pueden ser endógenas o exógenas. Las endógenas son benignas y generalmente causadas por la melanina, denominándose pigmentaciones melánicas gingivales. Entre las opciones para la despigmentación de estas regiones, se destaca la laserterapia, por ser un procedimiento poco invasivo. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo relatar un caso clínico de la técnica de despigmentación gingival utilizando láser de diodo de alta intensidad en la región anterior de los maxilares para ablación del tejido pigmentado con la finalidad de mejorar la estética gingival. El paciente presentaba como queja estética el aspecto oscurecido de la encía en la región anterior de la maxila y de la mandíbula. Tras aplicar anestesia local, se inició la despigmentación con láser de diodo de alta intensidad, siendo que la ablación se realizó a partir de la encía insertada hacia la encía marginal libre. El paciente regresó tras 30 y 180 días, presentando encía saludable y con ausencia de repigmentación melánica. Así fue posible concluir que el láser de diodo mostró ser una buena alternativa para la despigmentación melánica, ya que se presentó como un procedimiento con menor morbidad y buen resultado postoperatorio.

Tratamiento de la melanosis gingival y evaluación de la repigmentación melánica: reevaluación clínica al cabo de 2 años / Treatment of gingival melanosis and assessment of melanin repigmentation. Clinical evaluation after 2 years

La encía hiperpigmentada es un problema estético en algunos pacientes, particularmente si la pigmentación es en la zona facial de la encía y es visible durante la sonrisa y el habla del paciente. Objetivo El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar el grado de repigmentación melánica de melanosis gingivales tratadas con la combinación del uso del bisturí y la gingivoabrasión. Material y método Se incluyó a 6 pacientes con diagnóstico de pigmentación melánica fisiológica al nivel de la encía del maxilar, y que por necesidad estética se planificó la retirada del pigmento (depigmentación) con el bisturí y medios rotatorios, se evaluaron los parámetros de: intensidad de la pigmentación (IP) y el índice gingival de pigmentación. Resultados Con un promedio de 18 meses +/- 4,5 meses de postoperatorio 2 casos tuvieron una repigmentación de IP leve y 4 casos un IP ausente, los 6 casos mostraron un índice gingival de pigmentación de ausente después del postoperatorio. Conclusión La eliminación de manchas melánicas combinando el uso del bisturí y la abrasión es una técnica efectiva y posee un bajo índice de repigmentación al cabo de 18 meses de control.

Hyperpigmentation of the gingiva is an aesthetic problem in some patients, particularly if the pigment is in the facial area of the gum and is visible during smiling and speaking. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of repigmentation of gingival melanosis treated with the combination of using the scalpel and gingival abrasion. Material and method Six patients were evaluated with a diagnosis of physiological melanin pigmentation at the gingiva of the maxilla, and for aesthetic reasons needed the pigment removed (depigmentation) with a scalpel and a rotary abrasive. The parameters evaluated were the intensity of pigmentation index (PI) and gingival pigmentation index (GPI). Results After a mean of 18months +/- 4.5 months after the procedure, 2 patients had a mild repigmentation, and 4 cases with an absence of IP, and all 6 cases showed an PGI of zero in the postoperative period. Conclusion The removal of melanin spots combining the use of the scalpel and abrasion is an effective technique, and has a low rate of repigmentation after 18 months follow-up.

The use of ablative lasers in the treatment of facial melasma / O uso de lasers ablativos no tratamento do melasma facial

Melasma represents a pigmentary disorder that is difficult to treat. This study aims to broadly review the use of ablative lasers (Er:YAG and CO2) in the treatment of melasma, presenting the level of evidence of studies published to date. A total of 75 patients were enrolled in four case series studies (n=39), one controlled clinical trial (n=6) and one randomized controlled clinical trial (n=30). Studies on the Er:YAG laser showed better results with the use of short square-shaped pulses, which determined low rates of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and long-lasting maintenance of results. Likewise, studies on the CO2 laser proved the benefits of short pulse duration along with low-density energy. Post-treatment maintenance with the use of antipigmenting creams was necessary and effective to sustain long-term results. Ablative lasers may represent another useful and effective tool against melasma. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and difficulty in sustaining long-term results still represent the main limitations to a broader use of ablative lasers. Based on actual evidence, the use of this technology should be restricted to patients with recalcitrant disease. Further studies will help establish optimal laser parameters and treatment regimens.

O melasma representa desordem pigmentar de difícil tratamento. O presente estudo tem como propósito apresentar ampla revisão da literatura acerca do uso de laser ablativos (Er:YAG e CO2) no tratamento do melasma, estabelecendo o nível de evidência dos estudos publicados até o instante. Um total de 75 pacientes foram envolvidos entre quatro séries de casos (n=39), um ensaio clínico controlado (n=6) e um ensaio clínico controlado e randomizado (n=30). Os estudos acerca do laser de Er:YAG demonstraram melhores resultados com o uso de pulsos de forma quadrada, os quais determinaram menores taxas de hiperpigmentação pós-inflamatória. Ademais, os estudos com laser de CO2 também demonstraram benefício no uso de pulsos curtos com baixa densidade de energia. O uso de cremes despigmentantes no período pós-tratamento se mostrou necessária e efetiva na manutenção de resultados à longo prazo. Os lasers ablativos, por conseguinte, podem representar ferramenta efetiva e de grande utilidade no manejo do melasma. Entretanto, hiperpigmentação pós-inflamatória e dificuldade na manutenção de resultados à longo prazo parecem representar as principais limitações atuais ao seu amplo uso. Por conseguinte, com base nas atuais evidências, o uso de tais tecnologias ainda deve ser restrita à casos de doença recalcitrante. Novos estudos ainda são necessários para o estabelecimento de parâmetros e regimes ideais de tratamento.

Melanose primária adquirida associada a erosões epiteliais recorrentes da córnea / Primary acquired melanosis associated with recurrent corneal erosions

Relato de caso de melanose primária adquirida unilateral em paciente do sexo feminino, de 59 anos, com cerca de quatro anos de evolução, associada a episódios de erosões recorrentes do epitélio corneano. A paciente foi submetida à exerese cirúrgica da conjuntiva alterada, ceratectomia superficial e uso de mitomicina-C tópica no pós-operatório. O exame anatomopatológico confirmou o diagnóstico de melanose primária adquirida, com atipias nucleares discretas a moderadas. Um ano após a cirurgia, a paciente não apresentou novos episódios de erosões recorrentes do epitélio corneano, sendo mantida apenas com o uso noturno de pomada lubrificante.

A case report of a 59 years old woman who has had ocular primary melanosis for four years, associated with episodes of corneal epithelial recurrent erosions. The patient underwent resection of the affected conjunctiva, superficial keratectomy and topical mitomicin C after the surgery. The pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of primary acquired melanosis, with mild to moderate nuclear atypia. One year after the treatment, she had only a small area of pigmented epithelium located in the lower corneal surface, showing no tendency to progression. She used lubricant ointment at night and did not have other epithelial erosions during the follow-up period.

Surgical treatment of melanin-pigmented gingiva; an esthetic approach.

The aim of this clinical article is to review the methods of depigmentation of melanin pigmentation of gingiva and explain scalpel surgical technique for depigmentation of gingiva.