Gingival melanin pigmentation and its treatment with the CO2 laser

There are only a few reports in the literature evaluating the effects of the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser on gingival melanin pigmentation (GMP). This study was performed to evaluate the effects of the CO2 laser at superpulse mode, applied for gingival depigmentation. GMP at the anterior maxillary and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology and endodontics oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology and endodontics, 2004-11, Vol.98 (5), p.522-527
Main Authors: ESEN, Emin, HAYTAC, M. Cenk, ÖZ, I. Attila, ERDOGAN, Özgür, KARSLI, Ebru D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Carbon Dioxide
Dental Arch - pathology
Dentistry
Esthetics, Dental
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gingival Diseases - pathology
Gingival Diseases - surgery
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Laser Therapy - instrumentation
Laser Therapy - methods
Male
Mandible - pathology
Maxilla - pathology
Medical sciences
Melanosis - pathology
Melanosis - surgery
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
Pain, Postoperative - prevention & control
Recurrence
Statistics, Nonparametric
Wound Healing
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Summary:There are only a few reports in the literature evaluating the effects of the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser on gingival melanin pigmentation (GMP). This study was performed to evaluate the effects of the CO2 laser at superpulse mode, applied for gingival depigmentation. GMP at the anterior maxillary and mandibular gingiva of 10 patients was treated using the superpulsed CO2 laser (10 watts, 0.8 mm spot size, 20 Hz, 10 milliseconds). Pigmented areas were measured on pre- and postoperative standard digital images by the aid of an image- analyzing software. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by Mann Whitney U test. Ablation of the hyperpigmented gingiva was accomplished with minimal carbonization and almost no bleeding. Postoperative healing was uneventful with no significant postoperative pain. Two cases of partial repigmentation were observed during 24-month follow-up. Statistical analysis of the data revealed a significant difference between pre- and postoperative measurements of pigmented area. Application of the superpulse mode of CO2 laser appears to be an effective and safe method for the elimination of GMP.
ISSN:1079-2104
1528-395X
DOI:10.1016/j.tripleo.2004.02.059