Gingival depigmentation using scalpel

Abstract

Smile shows the feeling of joy and success and reveals self-confidence and kindness. A good smile is not only caused due to shape, position, and color of the teeth but also by the gingival tissues. Melanin pigmentation of the gingiva is not a medical problem. Nowadays, complaints of dark gums are common, particularly in patients having high smile line. Hence, periodontists have to achieve a harmonious interrelationship of the pink gingiva and white teeth. For depigmentation of gingiva, different treatment modalities have been reported, such as bur abrasion, scraping, cryotherapy, electrosurgery, and laser. In the present case series, slicing and scraping technique was used which is simple, effective, and yield good results along with good patient satisfaction. Gingival depigmentation of a 19-year-old male patient was done under local anesthesia with combination of slicing and scraping technique using 15 no. Bard-Parker blade. Depigmentation with combination of slicing and scraping technique is simple, easy to perform, cost-effective, and causes less discomfort and is esthetically acceptable to the patient.

Keywords

• Depigmentation
• esthetics
• melanin
• periodontal dressing
• repigmentation
• scraping
• slicing