*Main purpose: to determine the best surgical technique for gingival melanin depigmentation.
Subjects and methods: sixteen subjects were included; eight of them will be treated by bur abrasion technique (group1) and the other eight will be treated by blade technique (group2).Parameters as melanin area fraction (MAF) and Dummet-gupta oral pigmentation index (DOPI)were recorded before and 3 months after treatment.

Results: Both groups showed decrease of MAF and DOPI values. Bur abrasion technique (Group 1) showed higher statistical significant decrease of MAF than blade scrapping technique(Group 2).

Conclusion: Bur abrasion technique is good alternative technique to blade scrapping technique.
Clinical relevance: Both bur abrasion and blade scrapping techniques are nearly equal effective techniques in managing of gingival melanin hyperpigmentation and the choice of either techniques only depends on clinical expertise and preference of the patient.
KEYWORDS:
MAF, DOPI
Financial support and sponsorship: Nil.
Conflicts of interest: Authors declare no potential conflict of interest.