Use of 532-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for smoker's gingival hyperpigmentation

Laser treatments using 532-/1064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers are popular non-ablative and selective photothermolysis therapies for pigmentary disorders. We treated three male Korean patients (aged 23, 27 and 24 years) for smoker's gingival hyperpigmentation using a 532-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. At each treatment session, the laser was delivered at 1.2 J/cm(2) with a 5-mm spot size and appropriate overlap. Clinical improvement as well as complete healing of the treated gingiva was noted within 2 weeks after each treatment. We also observed that the therapeutic effects lasted more than 6 months.