Gingival Depigmentation- A Case Report Verma Sharmila J. Dr.*, Professor & Head, Gohil Meera H. Dr.**, P.G. Student, Shukla Dhara Dr.***, P.G. Student * Department of Periodontics and ImlantologyK. M. Shah Dental College & Hospital, Vadodra, Sumandeep vidhyapeeth, Piparia, vadodara ** Department of Periodontics and ImlantologyK. M. Shah Dental College & Hospital, Vadodra, Sumandeep vidhyapeeth, Piparia, vadodara *** Department of Periodontics and Imlantology, K. M. Shah Dental College & Hospital, Vadodra, Sumandeep vidhyapeeth, Piparia, vadodara Abstract Melanin, a nonhemoglobin-derived brown pigment, is the most common of the endogenous pigments and is produced by melanocytes present in the basal layer of the epithelium. Although melanin pigmentation of the gingiva is completely benign and does not present a medical problem, complaints of ‘black gums’ are common, particularly in patients having a very high smile line (gummy smile). Gingival hyperpigmentation is caused by excessive deposition of melanin located in the basal and suprabasal cell layers of the epithelium. The present case series describes two simple and effective surgical depigmentation techniques - scalpel blade surgery and semiconductor diode laser surgery - for gingival depigmentation, which have produced good results with patient satisfaction. The diode laser is a solid-state semiconductor laser that typically uses a combination of Gallium (Ga), Arsenide (Ar), and other elements, such as Aluminum (Al) and Indium (In), to change electrical energy into light energy. Clinical results obtained by diode lasers is same as that of scalpel but patient compliance is better for laser than for scalpel therapy. Top Keywords diode laser, hyperpigmentation, soft tissue laser, gingival, melanin. Top |