Oral Re-Pigmentation After Depigmentation- A Short Review and Case Report

Abstract

Melanin is a pigment that contributes to our skin color. Hyperpigmentation where melanin is produced in excess quantity can cause significant esthetic problem. Facial aesthetics is affected by smile line. Gingiva is an integral component of facial esthetics. Hyperpigmentation in gingiva affects facial esthetics. Various surgical modalities have been employed to correct hyperpigmentation. But, repigmentation is seen few months post-surgery. But the intensity and degree varies. Considerable improvement in gingival esthetics can be successfully achieved. In the present case, hyperpigmentation was graded, scalpel technique was used for depigmentation, crown lengthening by gingivectomy and frenectomy was done to correct altered passive eruption and aberrant frenal attachment. Oral repigmentation was graded and followed up to 5 months. Significant improvement in aesthetics of maxillary and mandibular gingival esthetics was achieved.

Gingival Depigmentation and Pink Aesthetics: A Case Report

“…The colour of the healthy gingiva is variable ranging from pale pink to deep bluish-purple and this is determined by several factors namely size and number of blood vessels, epithelial thickness, epithelial keratinization and amount of pigmentcontaining cells within the gingival epithelium. 2,6 Most of the pigmentation is caused by five primary pigments that are Melanin, Melanoid, Oxy-hemoglobin, Reduced haemoglobin, and Carotene. 7 Gingival hyperpigmentation can also be caused by smoking, trauma, infections, certain precancerous lesions, systemic conditions (Addison disease, Peutz-Jeghers disease, Albright disease) or drugs (tetracycline, colchicines etc).…”