Gingival overgrowth

Abstract

© 2015 Faculty of Medicine in Niš. Clinic of Dentistry in Niš. All rights reserved. Gingival health is a prerequisite for the health of the whole body. Severe gingival overgrowth affects speech, mastication, and nutrition, causes aesthetic concerns and increases susceptibility to periodontitits and systemic diseases. This article reviews the etiology, clinical manifestations, classification, pathogenesis, prevention and possible multidisciplinary management of gingival overgrowth. Gingival overgrowth incidence varies according to the socioeconomic status and the risk factors involved, with a reported rate of 1/9000 adults. Most commonly, gingival overgrowth is induced by drugs. Histological studies performed on samples of gingival overgrowth tissues revealed common, non-specific finding, despite numerous risk factors, which is generally characterized by an increase of gums volume to which contribute both the epithelium (cellular hyperplasia) and lamina propria (accumulation of extracellular matrix and cells). The treatment of gingival overgrowth depends on clinical appearance and etiological factors of gingival overgrowth; it focuses on the correction of the aesthetic and/or functional problems and can be divided into nonsurgical or surgical alternatives. Conclusion: Further studies are needed regarding the etiology, manifestation, pathogenesis, prevention and multidisciplinary management of gingival overgrowth, and special attention should be paid to factors that regulate the relationship between the etiology and severity of gingival overgrowth.