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Medication-induced gingival enlargement: a clinical review
L H Silverstein1, J J Garnick, M Szikman
1Department of Periodontics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, USA.
General Dentistry
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Certain medications like phenytoin, cyclosporine, and calcium channel blockers can cause gingival hyperplasia. Treatment involves plaque control and surgical removal of enlarged gum tissue.
Area of Science:
- Oral Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Periodontology
Background:
- Gingival hyperplasia, or overgrowth of gum tissue, can be a side effect of certain medications.
- Commonly implicated drugs include anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin), immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine), and calcium channel blockers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the causes and treatment strategies for drug-induced gingival hyperplasia.
- To highlight the clinical and histological evidence linking specific medications to gingival enlargement.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on gingival hyperplasia etiology and treatment.
- Analysis of clinical and histological findings associated with medication-induced gingival overgrowth.
Main Results:
- Phenytoin, cyclosporine, and various calcium channel blockers are consistently associated with gingival enlargements.
- Gingival hyperplasia presents clinically and histologically as similar tissue overgrowth.
Conclusions:
- Drug-induced gingival hyperplasia necessitates a comprehensive management approach.
- Effective treatment combines meticulous plaque control (mechanical and chemical) with surgical excision of hyperplastic gum tissue.