[Gingival hyperplasia of drug origin. A review of the literature]

Abstract

The frequency of gingival overgrowth is increasing, due to the more and more frequent use of cyclosporin and calcium antagonists. Such lesions are the same as those known to occur in patients treated with phenytoin. They appear after a few months of treatment and are favoured by inflammation. Marginal gingiva starts to grow in excess, especially in the anterior region, and might end up covering the teeth entirely, with major occlusal problems. The hyperplasia occurs in about 50% of the phenytoin treated patients and in about 20% of those treated with cyclosporin or calcium antagonists. A genetic predisposition has been thought to be present in such susceptible people. However, no precise pathogenic pathway, possibly common for the three types of drugs, has been clearly proposed. As for therapy, the most severe lesions are treated by surgery but, in general, the dentist can be very helpful by simply stressing gingival hygiene.