Background: Many individuals with hyperpigmented gingiva encounter esthetic problem which can be solved by surgical depigmentation procedures. As melanin acts as a scavenger for reactive oxygen species that attribute to the inflammation , depigmentation may unfortunately cause increase of inflammatory process.
Aim: To investigate if the surgical melanin depigmentation could cause increased inflammation
Subjects and methods:
Seven individuals complaining from increased gingival melanin pigmentation have undergone surgical melanin depigmentation .Dummet Oral Pigmentation Index (DOPI) was the clinical parameter tested to investigate degree of melanin pigmentation. Inflammatory cell count was the histologic parameter to analyze number of inflammatory cells before and after depigmentation. Punch biopsy was taken at baseline and one month after depigmentation.
Results:
Both DOPI and inflammatory cell counts have significantly changed one month postoperative but there was no significant relation between these changes.
Conclusion :
Depigmentaion could possibly increase inflammation .
Recommendations:
More studies are needed to confirm direct proportion between depigmentation and inflammation.