Periodontics › Pathology
Gingival Enlargement & Periodontal Abscess
High-yield revision notes with linked practice questions, written for dental students and candidates preparing for the ADC and other licensing examinations.
High-yield notes
Gingival enlargement is a well-known consequence of the administration of some anticonvulsants, immune-suppressants, and calcium channel blockers
The growth starts as a painless, beadlike enlargement of the interdental papilla and extends to the facial and lingual gingival margins
The enlargement is usually generalized throughout the mouth but is more severe in the maxillary and mandibular anterior regions.
The first drug-induced gingival enlargements reported were those produced by phenytoin (Dilantin).
Cyclosporine-induced gingival enlargement is more vascularized than phenytoin enlargement
Pregnancy gingival enlargement may be marginal and generalized or may occur as single or multiple tumor-like masses
In pregnancy hormonal changes induce changes in vascular permeability, leading to gingival edema and increase inflammatory response to dental plaque.
Gingival enlargement in vitamin C deficiency is marginal; the gingiva is bluish red, soft, and friable and has a smooth, shiny surface
Pyogenic granuloma is a tumor-like gingival enlargement that is considered an exaggerated conditioned response to minor trauma
False enlargements are not true enlargements of the gingival tissues but may appear as such as a result of increases in size of the underlying osseous ordental tissues.
Gingivectomy is treatment of choice for gingival enlargement.
Periodontal abscess is also called parietal or lateral abscess.
Incision and drainage is required for gingival and periodontal abscess management.
These notes are compiled from standard periodontology texts for study purposes. They are a revision aid, not a substitute for your own reading or current clinical guidelines. If you spot an error, please leave a comment.