View clinical trials related to Gingiva.
Filter by:The appearance and health of the gingiva significantly contribute to an aesthetically pleasing smile. Pink gingiva indicates healthy gums and is generally preferred over dark or mixed colors. However, gingival color varies among individuals based on factors such as race, geography, gum health, epithelial thickness, vascular supply, keratinization level, and pigments in the epithelium layers. Four primary pigments define mucosa color: melanin, oxygenated hemoglobin (Hb), carotenoids, and reduced Hb. Melanin notably affects excessive gingival pigmentation. Gingival melanin hyperpigmentation, sometimes called racial pigmentation, is a genetic trait present in many ethnic groups due to excess melanin deposition in the epithelial layers. While not a medical concern, this hyperpigmentation can be unattractive, especially for those with a gummy smile. As a result, many seek treatments to reduce or eliminate this pigmentation. Various methods for gingival depigmentation exist, including surgical scraping, scalpel technique, bur abrasion, free gingival graft, gingivectomy, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, chemical treatments, and lasers. A significant challenge with these treatments is gingival repigmentation or the reappearance of melanin post-procedure. For years, the scalpel technique was the standard. It's a straightforward and economical method that involves removing the gingival epithelium and some underlying tissue. Although it promotes quick healing, the procedure can cause bleeding, necessitating local anesthesia and post-operative dressings. Due to the associated discomfort, researchers have sought equally effective alternatives. Laser ablation has become a popular choice among dental professionals and patients. Lasers like carbon dioxide (CO2), diode, argon, ruby, Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) , and Er:YAG (erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) have been proven effective through numerous studies. Lasers present benefits such as minimal post-operative pain, ease of use, and quicker treatment times. Recurrence rates post-laser surgery (1.16%) are lower than with the scalpel technique (4.25%). However, lasers also have downsides, including high costs, potential for thermal damage, and the risk of deep penetration. One laser, the Erbium-chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG), has been FDA-approved for certain dental procedures but hasn't been widely used for gingival depigmentation. Preliminary findings suggest it offers advantages like reduced pain and faster healing compared to other lasers. In a case study involving two patients, the Er,Cr:YSGG laser effectively removed gingival pigmentation, with no recurrence observed after six months. This clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy and recurrence rates between the conventional scalpel technique and the Er,Cr:YSGG laser technique. The hypothesis suggests that the Er,Cr:YSGG laser might be a superior treatment for gingival hyperpigmentation compared to other methods.
Backround: No data on the adjunctive effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) in a post-surgery, chlorhexidine (CHX) - based plaque control regimen are available. Also, contrasting evidence is available regarding the efficacy of CHX-based formulations containing anti-discoloration system (ADS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the post-surgery gingival healing as well as plaque, gingival inflammation, and staining levels following the use of a 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) solution with or without anti-discoloration system (ADS) and 0.2% hyaluronic acid (HA). Methods: Patients undergoing flap surgery at sites with an intact or reduced but healthy periodontium participated in a parallel-arm RCT. After surgery, patients used the assigned mouthrinse (CHX+HA+ADS or CHX) for 21 days. At day 7 and 21, the Gingival Healing Index (GHI) was used to assess the quality of flap closure at the interdental papilla. Plaque index (PlI), Gingival Index (GI), Angulated bleeding score (AngBS), tooth and tongue staining were also assessed.