Drug-induced gingival hyperplasia. Selective review of the literature and a photometric assessment technique.

Several drugs share the side effect of inducing gingival hyperplasia in a substantial percentage of patients. A selective review of the literature as well as possible mechanisms for the causation of gingival overgrowth by these drugs is offered. In addition, a photometric technique for assessing gingival overgrowth is described and compared with a previously used method.