C J Yeh1. 1. Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taitung, Taiwan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Abnormal deposition of melanin in gingiva can often occur. Complaints of "black gums" are common, and demand for depigmentation is usually made for esthetic reasons. A simple and effective cryosurgical technique to eliminate the pigmentation is the subject of this article. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty patients with dark gingiva were treated by direct application of liquid nitrogen with a cotton swab for 20 to 30 seconds. RESULTS: The treated gingiva appeared normal within 1 to 2 weeks after 1 or 2 cryosurgical treatments. The acceptance of the treatment was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: This was a simple, bloodless cryosurgery for the depigmentation of gingiva, requiring no local anesthesia or sophisticated equipment.
OBJECTIVE: Abnormal deposition of melanin in gingiva can often occur. Complaints of "black gums" are common, and demand for depigmentation is usually made for esthetic reasons. A simple and effective cryosurgical technique to eliminate the pigmentation is the subject of this article. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty patients with dark gingiva were treated by direct application of liquid nitrogen with a cotton swab for 20 to 30 seconds. RESULTS: The treated gingiva appeared normal within 1 to 2 weeks after 1 or 2 cryosurgical treatments. The acceptance of the treatment was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: This was a simple, bloodless cryosurgery for the depigmentation of gingiva, requiring no local anesthesia or sophisticated equipment.
Authors: Luis Silva Monteiro; José Adriano Costa; Marco Infante da Câmara; Rui Albuquerque; Marco Martins; José Júlio Pacheco; Filomena Salazar; Fernando Figueira Journal: Case Rep Dent Date: 2015-04-12