Background: Recurrence of pigmentation is seen to be associated with gingival melanin depigmentation, which starts with melanocytic migration from the adjacent free gingiva. The extent and rate of recurrence varies according to various treatment procedures used and time period of follow-up. The aim of this study is to compare surgical stripping and diode LASER techniques for gingival depigmentation and to evaluate clinical repigmentation.
Methods: In this study, 20 sites from 10 patients with bilateral melanin hyperpigmentation were treated with surgical stripping and diode LASER techniques. Changes in Dummett Oral Pigmentation Index (DOPI) from baseline to 3 months postoperatively were recorded.
Results: At the 3-month postoperative visit, 53% of the scalpel group and 46% of the diode LASER group showed clinical repigmentation. Paired t test was used for statistical analysis. Change in DOPI score was statistically signi?cant.
Conclusion: After gingival depigmentation, clinical repigmentation is an outcome of histologic changes in the melanocyte activity. Gingival depigmentation carried out by surgical stripping remains the gold standard, however diode LASER is seen nowadays as an upcoming treatment modality.
Keywords: Cell Biology, Hyperpigmentation, LASERs, Pain
