Management of Gingival Hyperpigmentation Using Surgical Blade, Diamond Bur and Diode Laser Therapy: A Case Report.

Esthetics has become a significant aspect of dentistry and clinicians are faced with achieving acceptable gingival esthetics as well as addressing biological and functional problems. The gingiva is the most commonly affected intraoral tissue that is responsible for a displeasing appearance. Melanin pigmentation often occurs in the gingiva as a result of an abnormal deposition of melanin, due to which the gums may appear black, but the principles, techniques, and management of the problems associated with gingival melanin pigmentation are still not fully established. Depigmentation procedures such as scalpel surgery, gingivectomy with free gingival autografting, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, abrasion with diamond bur, Nd:YAG laser, semiconductor diode laser, and CO₂ laser have been employed for removal of melanin pigmentation. The following case report describes three different surgical depigmentation techniques: scalpel blade surgery, abrasion with diamond bur, and semiconductor diode laser. The diode laser is a solid-state semiconductor laser that typically uses a combination of Gallium (Ga), Arsenide (Ar), and other elements, such as aluminium (Al) and indium (In) to change electrical energy into light energy. Better results were achieved with semiconductor diode laser than conventional scalpel blade and abrasion with bur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]