Comparison of Diode Laser and Conventional Method in Treatment of Gingival Melanin Hyperpigmentation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: We aim to compare the scalpel and diode laser methods in the treatment of gingival hyperpigmentation in terms of postoperative pain and wound healing. Materials amp; Methods: Sixteen systemically healthy individuals requesting treatment for light or moderate gingival hyperpigmentation were enrolled for this study. The individuals were randomly assigned to treatment with the diode laser method or conventional scalpel method. Dummett oral pigmentation index was recorded at baseline. The VAS form was given to the individuals and postoperative pain and wound healing were compared on the postoperative 7th day. Comparisons between the groups were tested using the Mann-Whitney U test and P-value lt; 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The scalpel group showed total epithelialization, however, the laser group showed incomplete epithelialization. The scalpel group declared significantly higher pain perception in comparison to the laser group on the first and second days after the surgery (p=0,002 and p=0,038, respectively). No significant differences were found between the groups on the fourth and seventh day regarding pain perception (p gt;0,05). Also, no significant difference was observed in any comparisons between the pain perceptions of female and male individuals (p gt;0,05). Conclusion: Both scalpel and diode laser are obtained successful clinical results in the treatment of gingival hyperpigmentation. Although increased chair-time and impaired wound healing at one-week follow-up, intraoperative homeostasis and relatively less postoperative pain reveal the superiority of diode laser to the scalpel. The choice of the method may vary depending on the available equipment and preference of the patient and the clinician.

Keywords

• diode laser
• gingival hyperpigmentation
• postoperative pain
• scalpel
• vas