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How Effective Is Vitamin C for Gingival Depigmentation? A Scoping Review
Shubhankar Mehrotra1, Malvika Shyamkumar1, Shravya Marcherla1
1Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Clinical and Experimental Dental Research
|March 11, 2026
Summary
Vitamin C effectively reduces gingival pigmentation, offering an atraumatic alternative to surgical methods like scalpels. This approach shows comparable results with improved patient acceptance and reduced discomfort.
Area of Science:
- Dental Aesthetics
- Periodontology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Excessive gingival pigmentation is commonly treated with surgical removal.
- Various methods exist, including scalpels, lasers, and chemical peels.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a recent addition for gingival depigmentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically appraise the current evidence on vitamin C's role in gingival depigmentation.
- To compare vitamin C therapies with traditional surgical methods.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and scoping review was conducted.
- Studies involving vitamin C for gingival depigmentation were included.
- Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for Scoping Review (PRISMA-Scoping Review) guidelines were followed.
Main Results:
- Vitamin C was used topically or as mesotherapy, alone or with microneedling/scalpel.
- Vitamin C effectively reduced pigmentation, with no statistical difference compared to scalpels.
- Recurrence rates were similar to scalpels (approx. 32.6%).
- Vitamin C mesotherapy showed reduced itching and pain, with higher patient acceptance.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin C, particularly with microneedling or mesotherapy, is a promising, atraumatic alternative to scalpels.
- It offers comparable efficacy to surgical depigmentation with enhanced patient comfort.
