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The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative properties of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on gingival fibroblasts obtained from calcium channel blocker-induced gingival overgrowth (GO). Gingival fibroblasts of patients with GO were compared to healthy gingival fibroblasts (H). Both cells were exposed to LLLT (685 nm wavelength, 25mW power, diode laser) and compared to those not treated with LLLT. Cell proliferation and viability were measured with MTT assay at baseline and after 24 and 72 h. TGF-β1, CTGF, and collagen Type 1 levels were evaluated with Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). LLLT significantly decreased the proliferation of GO fibroblasts (p < 0.05) while leading to a significantly higher proliferation in H fibroblasts compared to the untreated cells (p < 0.05). GO cells showed significantly higher CTGF, TGF-β, and collagen Type 1 expression than the H cells (p < 0.05). LLLT significantly reduced CTGF levels in GO cells compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In H cells, CTGF and TGF-β levels were also significantly decreased in response to LLLT compared to the control group (p < 0.05). While LLLT significantly reduced collagen expression in the H group (p < 0.05), it did not significantly impact the GO cells. LLLT significantly reduced the synthesis of the growth factors and collagen in both groups with an antiproliferative effect on the gingival fibroblasts from calcium channel blocker-induced GO, suggesting that it can offer a therapeutic approach in the clinical management of drug-induced GO, reversing the fibrotic changes.

Background Patients with aplastic anemia are at increased risk of bleeding, which often limits conventional periodontal treatment. Although drug-induced gingival overgrowth is well-documented, its management in this high-risk population has not been thoroughly studied. Case presentation We respectively reviewed the cases of seven aplastic anemia patients (4 males, 3 females; aged 33–57) with cyclosporine-associated drug-induced gingival overgrowth who were treated with initial periodontal therapy (IPT) under hematologist supervision from May 2018 to October 2024. Within 1–6 months follow-up visit, 6 of 7 patients achieved complete resolution of gingival overgrowth. One patient with severe overgrowth and concurrent felodipine use required 15 months for full resolution. Two cases of postoperative bleeding were controlled by removing chronic inflammatory tissue. One patient experienced recurrence after discontinuing follow-up for 2 years. No infections occurred during treatment. Conclusions IPT can safely and effectively treat severe drug-induced gingival overgrowth in patients with aplastic anemia. A maintenance therapy frequency of no less than once every three months is crucial to prevent recurrence in these patients.

Drugs are being prescribed with more frequency and in higher quantities. A serious adverse drug event from prescribed medications constitutes 2.4% to 16.2% of all hospital admissions. Many of the adverse drug events present intraorally or periorally in isolation or as a clinical symptom of a systemic effect. Clinical recognition and treatment of adverse drug events are important to increase patient adherence, manage drug therapy, or detect early signs of potentially serious outcomes. Oral manifestations of commonly prescribed medications include gingival enlargement, oral hyperpigmentation, oral hypersensitivity reaction, medication-related osteonecrosis, xerostomia, and other oral or perioral conditions. To prevent dose-dependent adverse drug reactions, physicians should prescribe medications judiciously using the lowest effective dose with minimal duration. Alternatively, for oral hypersensitivity reactions that are not dose dependent, quick recognition of clinical symptoms associated with time-dependent drug onset can allow for immediate discontinuation of the medication without discontinuation of other medications. Physicians can manage oral adverse drug events in the office through oral hygiene instructions for gingival enlargement, medication discontinuation for oral pigmentation, and prescription of higher fluoride toothpastes for xerostomia.

Gingival overgrowth is a common side effect of calcium channel blockers used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. While controversial, management includes discontinuing the calcium channel blocker. We report the case of a 66-year-old Japanese man with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus who was diagnosed with severe periodontitis covering almost all the teeth. The patient had been on nifedipine (40 mg/day) and amlodipine (10 mg/day) medication for 5 years. With his physician’s consent, nifedipine was discontinued during his treatment for periodontitis, which consisted of oral hygiene instructions and scaling and root planing on all areas. Gingivectomy was performed on the areas of hard fibrous swelling. Nifedipine was resumed during periodontal treatment when the patient’s hypertension worsened. His periodontal scores improved when he resumed treatment. We report that significant improvement in gingival overgrowth can occur with basic periodontal treatment, surgery and sustained intensive follow-up without adjusting calcium channel blockers.

Key Points Suggests that gingival overgrowth management requires a structured approach including preventative, non-surgical cause-related therapy and in some cases surgical interventions. Highlights that failure of cause-related treatment to eliminate aesthetic, functional and speech related complications of gingival overgrowth is likely to indicate surgical intervention. Demonstrates that surgical techniques may include a gingivectomy or apically repositioned flap. Suggests that a variety of techniques may be used to perform a gingivectomy including scalpel, electrosurgery and laser methods. The effective and predictable management of gingival overgrowth requires correct diagnosis and consideration of aetiological factors, as discussed in Part 1 ( BDJ 2017; 222: 85–91 ). Initial management should involve cause-related therapy, which may resolve or reduce the lesion. If functional, aesthetic and maintenance complications persist following this phase; further treatment may be required in the form of surgery. This paper discusses management strategies, including management of aetiological factors and surgical techniques.

Gingival overgrowth is an undesirable outcome of systemic medication and is evidenced by the accretion of collagenous components in gingival connective tissues along with diverse degrees of inflammation. Phenytoin therapy has been found to induce the most fibrotic lesions in gingiva, cyclosporine caused the least fibrotic lesions, and nifedipine induced intermediate fibrosis in drug-induced gingival overgrowth. In drug-induced gingival overgrowth, efficient oral hygiene is compromised and has negative consequences for the systemic health of the patients. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in the effective recognition of microbial agents and play a vital role in innate immunity and inflammatory signaling responses. TLRs stimulate fibrosis and tissue repairs in several settings, although with evident differences between organs. In particular, TLRs exert a distinct effect on fibrosis in organs with greater exposure to TLR ligands, such as the gingiva. Cumulative evidence from diverse sources suggested that TLRs can affect gingival overgrowth in several ways. Numerous studies have demonstrated the expression of TLRs in gingival tissues and suggested its potential role in gingival inflammation, cell proliferation and synthesis of the extracellular matrix which is crucial to the development of gingival overgrowth. In the present review, we assessed the role of TLRs on individual cell populations in gingival tissues that contribute to the progression of gingival inflammation, and the involvement of TLRs in the development of gingival overgrowth. These observations suggest that TLRs provide new insight into the connection among infection, inflammation, drugs and gingival fibrosis, and are therefore efficient therapeutic target molecules. We hypothesize that TLRs are critical for the development and progression of gingival overgrowth, and thus blocking TLR expression may serve as a novel target for antifibrotic therapy.

Since direct pulp capping had failed, 26 and 27 required endodontic therapy. Treatment for caries, a basic periodontal treatment, is hindered under GO-conditions due to factors such as the leakage of saliva and microbes. [...]careful scrutiny for the detection and treatment of caries under proliferating gingiva is essential. CCBs are drugs developed for the management of cardiovascular diseases, and GO associated with nifedipine was first reported in the early 1980s.12 Successive studies reported cases of GO associated with different CCBs, such as diltiazem and verapamil, and rare cases with amlodipine and felodipine.4 13 A community-based study that investigated the prevalence of CCB-induced GO revealed that 6.3% of patients taking nifedipine medication had clinically significant GO and that gingival inflammation was an important factor in its development.3 GO causes deterioration of periodontal health and includes pain, difficulty in brushing teeth, interference with speech and mastication and aesthetic problems. According to standard practice, the most effective treatment for oral lesions is discontinuation of the offending medication and substitution with another class, or a cocktail, of antihypertensive drugs.1 12 14 CCBs are among the first-choice drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular and related diseases.15 16 Although existing literature suggests that substituting nifedipine with an antihypertensive of the same class, such as isradipine, may result in the regression of GO,17 exacerbation of hypertension and increased risk of developing angina due to the substitution of key drugs cannot be ruled out.

Azithromycin is effective for the remission of cyclosporine A-induced gingival overgrowth (CIGO) in persons who have undergone renal transplant. To explain its mechanism in alleviating the clinical symptoms of these indivduals, we examined the effect of azithromycin on cell proliferation and collagen turnover modified by cyclosporin A in human gingival fibroblasts from healthy persons and from persons who had undergone renal transplant. Cyclosporin A-induced proliferation of renal transplant fibroblasts and normal fibroblasts was inhibited by azithromycin. Azithromycin elevated the reduced metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-2 activities in cyclosporine A-treated renal transplant fibroblasts and normal fibroblasts. In cyclosporine A-treated renal transplant fibroblasts, azithromycin blocked the accumulation of total collagen in culture media and the increase in type I collagen mRNA level, but recovered the reduced MMP-2 mRNA level to the control. These results suggest that azithromycin may improve CIGO by blocking cyclosporine A-induced cell proliferation and collagen synthesis, and by activating MMP-2 in gingival fibroblasts of persons with cyclosporine A-induced gingival overgrowth.

Successful nonsurgical management of severe postorthodontic gingival enlargement and erythema in a 24-year-old male is presented. The patient received an intensive cause-related periodontal therapy, consisting of oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root planing, and weekly recall visits. At week five, complete resolution of the lesions was achieved. By targeting the primary etiologic factor, i.e., plaque, periodontal health was restored without needing surgical intervention. Reducing the bacterial load will give the biologic natural healing capacity of the body the opportunity to stabilize the periodontal condition and, thus, should be considered as the first line of intervention before a surgical approach is taken.

This paper identifies 3 specific classifications of commonly prescribed medications that are known to cause gingival enlargement and describes surgical and non-surgical treatment therapies. Primary risks associated with drug-induced gingival enlargement, including increased dental decay and periodontal disease are also discussed. The precise bacterial etiology in gingival enlargement remains unclear, although sufficient evidence exists to support the role of good oral hygiene in decreasing the incidence and severity of gingival enlargement and improving overall gingival health. Etiology, treatment planning and coordination of care between physician, dentist or dental hygienist when indicated are important factors determining whether a surgical or non-surgical course of treatment should be considered.