Management of Drug Induced Gingival Enlargement

Drug induced gingival enlargement is a gingival condition which is associated with consumption of anticonvulsants, antihypertensive drugs (calcium channel blockers) and immunosuppressants, mainly cyclosporine A. There are medical and surgical methods to manage this disease based on the clinical aspects of the lesion and the medical status of the patient. It can be graded based on the amount of gingival overgrowth. The main aim of the treatment is to reduce the inflammatory component and thereby the growth and then to move on to surgical methods after assessment of the patient's medical condition. It is of vital importance to make the patients aware of the possibility of gingival overgrowth as soon as they are prescribed these drugs and inform them about the possible treatment options available. The choice of treatment lies in the hands of the dentist and it should be decided after careful assessment of all the factors associated with the disease. This review focuses on the various aspects of management of drug induced gingival enlargement.