A 15-year Follow-Up of a Gingivectomy Procedure for Idiopathic Gingival Fibromatosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Few long-term reports exist concerning the treatment of idiopathic gingival fibromatosis, which is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder associated with non-inflammatory, benign, and chronic fibrous gingival proliferation and which causes serious esthetic problems. The aim of this study was to report a case of idiopathic gingival fibromatosis treated with a gingivectomy using an inverse bevel flap method and comprehensively followed up for 15 years. A female patient visited a pediatric dentist at 7 years of age; however, a gingivectomy was not performed until the age of 20 years because of an uncertain prognosis. Now, more than 15 years after the gingivectomy, there has been no significant recurrence and the disease is well managed. Treatment by gingivectomy with an inverse bevel flap approach may provide long-term prevention of recurrence of gingival fibromatosis into adulthood. The aim of this study was to obtain new findings on the pathogenesis and prognosis of this rare disease and to review the case reports previously published.

Keywords: gingivectomy; idiopathic gingival fibromatosis; inverse bevel flap procedure; long-term followup; recurrence.