Management of Gingival Hyperpigmentation by the Surgical Scalpel Technique - Report of Three Cases

摘要

A smile expresses a feeling of joy, success, sensuality, affection and courtesy and reveals self confidence and kindness. The harmony of the smile is determined not only by the shape, position and the colour of teeth, but also by the gingival tissues. Gingival tissues form an important part of what we can consider to be a pleasing smile. Often, patients complain about dark gums being unsightly. Gingival pigmentation results from melanin granules which are produced by melanoblasts. Gingival melanin hyperpigmentation is not a medical problem, but black gums are a common complaint and fair skinned people with moderate or severe gingival pigmentation frequently request cosmetic therapy.Melanin is elaborated by specific cells called melanocytes which reside in the basal cell layer and is transferred to the basal cell where it is stored in the form of melasnosomes. Three cases of gingival hyperpigmentation which were treated by the surgical scalpel technique are described here. Also discussed here in brief, are the various other techniques that can be used for the same.