Use of diode laser in the treatment of gingival enlargement during orthodontic treatment

Gingival enlargement is a very common complication during orthodontic treatment, [5] but fortunately, it seems to be transitory and generally resolves after orthodontic therapy, even if sometimes incompletely. Gingival overgrowth induced by orthodontic treatment shows a specific fibrous and thickened gingival appearance, different from fragile gingiva with marginal gingival redness common in allergic or inflammatory gingival lesions. [6]

Several clinical studies suggest that orthodontic treatment may be associated with a decrease in periodontal health, causing a hypertrophic form of gingivitis. However, the actual pathogenesis of gingival enlargement is not yet completely understood, although probably involves increased production by fibroblasts of amorphous ground substance with a high level of glycosaminoglycans. Increases in mRNA expression of Type I collagen and up-regulation of keratinocyte growth factor receptor could play an important role in excessive proliferation of epithelial cells and increased development of gingival enlargement, on the basis of some studies, in cases of poor oral hygiene status.[7] However, there is no clear definition on its aetiology, although it is probably associated with the inflammatory response induced by the corrosion of orthodontic appliances, particularly those of nickel,[8] linked to an inflammatory response considered a Type IV hypersensitivity and manifested as nickel-induced allergic contact stomatitis, even if its aetiology has not yet clearly been defined.[9]

The treatment of these conditions is surgical. Histological and histochemical studies have demonstrated that the removal of the gingival papilla can promote the formation of normal connective tissue.[10] Because the classic intervention performed by scalpel has some disadvantages, mainly linked to the discomfort for the patient (e.g. anaesthesia by injection and sutures), there has been great interest in the utilisation of laser technology.

Case report

A 14-year-old female patient was referred to our department by the orthodontics unit because, at the end of fixed orthodontic treatment, she had developed gingival enlargement in the upper arch (Fig. 1), probably related to the fast closure of the spaces associated with very poor oral hygiene due to bleeding during toothbrushing. Just after the removal of the appliance, a topical anaesthetic (EMLA, AstraZeneca) was applied to the gingivae (Fig. 2) and a gingivectomy was performed using a diode laser (XD-2, Fotona) according to the technique of removal of the inter dental papillae (Fig. 3). The parameters used were as follows: a wavelength of 808 nm, 3 W in continuous wave, a 320 μm fibre in contact mode. The intervention had a duration of 375 seconds, and the patient did not feel any pain (Fig. 4). After the intervention, the patient did not take any kind of pain medication, and the healing process was completed in five days (Fig. 5).

Discussion

The first laser appliance was built by Maiman in 1960, and some years later, it was successfully employed in medicine and in oral surgery with several advantages. It may provide excellent incision performance with sealing of small blood and lymphatic vessels, resulting in haemostasis and reduced postoperative oedema. Furthermore, target tissues are disinfected as a result of local heating and production of an eschar layer, which results in a decreased amount of scarring owing to decreased post-operative tissue shrinkage, allowing one to avoid the use of sutures.

Diodes, the last generation of laser used in dentistry, have several advantages, such as reduced cost and size, and ofer the operator the possibility to work both in continuous and chopped mode. Based on our experience, we can confirm that this technology may represent a new approach to the resolution of gingival enlargement during orthodontic treatment, with better comfort for the patient during and after surgery.

Editorial note: A list of references is available from the publisher. This article was published in ortho - international magazine of othodontology No. 02/2017.