Comparison of laser and electrosurgery in treatment of gingival hyperpigmentation - A case series

The harmony of the smile is determined not only by the shape, the position and the colour of the teeth but also by the gingival colour. Melanin hyperpigmented gingiva is an esthetic problem in many individuals, particularly if the hyperpigmentation is on the facial aspect of gingiva and visible during smile and speech. Various depigmentation techniques have been employed for removing or reducing hyperpigmentation. The aim of the present case series was to compare two different techniques. i.e laser and electrosurgery. Atotal of six patients with hyperpigmentation were selected and randomly treated for depigmentation with diode lasers in one quadrant and electrosurgery in other quadrant. The results showed that there was no recurrence of pigmentation in all the cases treated by lasers and electrosurgery after 1 month, but after 3 months some cases treated by electrosurgery showed recurrence of pigmentation.