Diagnosing and managing the prodigious gingivae with distinct etiologies-a fight for reinstating big smile from the big gum: a case series

Gingival hyperplasia (GH) not only predisposes to the functional but also to esthetic concerns of the patients. For rendering a possible treatment a periodontist should recognize the underlying pathology, be it inflammatory, neoplastic, iatrogenic, idiopathic or in association with any underlying systemic disease.

A thorough individual history was obtained with clinical presentation of GH, according to which they were grouped under six sections. First, was drug induced (phenytoin), second was unilateral idiopathic enlargement, third was inflammatory, fourth demonstrated GH due to orthodontic treatment, fifth was stated as inappropriate gum to tooth ratio due to altered passive eruption and lastly was pregnancy induced GH.

The cases presented were treated with full mouth oral prophylaxis following which, surgical intervention was done if indicated.

The present case series highlights different types of gingival enlargement, their underlying etiology and emphasizes on various treatment modalities that can be employed.