Achieving better esthetics by gingival de-pigmentation: report of three cases with a review of the literature.

A smile expresses a feeling of joy and success and also reveals self-confidence and kindness in an individual. A holistic smile is dictated not only by the shape, position and color of the teeth but also by the health of the gingival tissues. Gingival appearance is an important component of an attractive smile. Melonin, carotene and hemoglobin are the most common natural pigments contributing to the normal color of gingiva. Although physiologic and ethnic melanin pigmentation is not a medical problem, complaints about "black gums" are common. For de-pigmentation of gingiva, different treatment modalities have been reported such as bur abrasion, scraping with scalpel, partial thickness flap, gingivectomy, cryotherapy, electrosurgery, lasers, free gingival autografting, sub-epithelial connective tissue graft and combination techniques. In the present case reports, scalpel surgery and electrosurgery were performed for gingival de-pigmentation, which are simple and effective. The esthetic results were pleasing and healing was uneventful. Patients were satisfied with the outcome at three month follow-up as evidenced from their feedback.