A Comparative evaluation of clinical efficacy and patient comfort in surgical scrapping and diode laser technique for gingival depigmentation: A Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Excessive gingival pigmentation is a major esthetic concern for many people. Though it is not a medical problem, they consider it as a negative attribute. In people who have excessive gingival display while smiling, this problem is much more. In this split-mouth trial, the clinical efficacy of two different treatment modalities like diode laser and scalpel blade, for the treatment of gingival hyperpigmentation is compared. MATERIALS & METHODS: Twenty patients requiring treatment for moderate-to-severe gingival hyperpigmentation were enrolled. The surgical sites extending from distal of the right canine to the midline and distal of the left canine to the midline in the maxilla were selected. In each patient, right side was treated with surgical scrapping technique and contralateral left side was treated with diode laser technique in a single visit. RESULTS: Both diode laser and surgical scrapping technique gave excellent results in gingival hyperpigmentation. The non-significant p-value infers that the intensity & extent level at the end of sixth month after the treatment has been similar for the two treatments. However diode laser shows better bleeding and pain control. CONCLUSION: Diode laser can be used as an alternative technique for gingival depigmentation. However surgical scrapping continues to remain as a cost effective and gold standard procedure to achieve gingival depigmentation