13th World Congress for Laser Dentistry

26-28, April 2012

Barcelona, Spain

Meeting Abstract

Sponsors: World Federation for Laser Dentistry

- Oral Presentation 71

TITLE: Esthetic Treatment of Gingival Melanin Hyperpigmentation with Er:YAG laser. Forty-eight months of patient follow-up.

AUTHORS: Rosa DSA, Aranha ACC, Eduardo CP, Aoki A.

Special Laboratory for Lasers in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil

SOURCE: Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2012 May 1;17(Supplement1):S71.

* doi:10.4317/medoral.17643570

http://dx.doi.org/10.4317/medoral.17643570

Abstract

Recently, the Er:YAG laser has been effectively used for periodontal soft-tissue management. The purpose of this study was to report in 4 clinical cases the removal of gingival melanin pigmentation (GMP) using an Er:YAG laser and its follow-up by 48 months. Irradiation was performed at 64.0mJ/pulse (8.5J/cm² per pulse) and 10Hz under water spray in contact mode. Clinical parameters such as bleeding, swelling, redness and healing were evaluated immediately, 24 hours, 1 and 4 weeks and 3 month after the surgery. Recurrence and clinical aspects were observed at 24-48 month. At 1 week, gingiva showed fast epithelization with a healthy appearance in all cases. At 2 weeks, gingiva showed complete healing with the significant improvement of color and recovery of the tissue thickness. At 1 month completed healing was observed and after the 3-month evaluation, no gingival deformity and recession were observed. There was a slight recurrence in only one case. After 12 months of clinical evaluation no visible recurrence could be observed, however, in 3 cases recurrence could be seen at 18 months. After 48 months, moderate generalized recurrence was observed for all cases, but no recession or gingival deformity was presented in any case. Removal of GMP can be safely and effectively performed by Er:YAG laser without causing any complications or side effects to patients, resulting in esthetically significant improvement of gingival discoloration even after 48 months after surgery.