THE THERAPHY OF GINGIVAL OVERGROWTH CAUSED BY PHENYTOIN AND LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP RESULTS: CASE REPORT

Gingival overgrowth is the increase of the volume of the gingival tissues that has been associated with multiple factors including inflammation, neoplastic conditions, systemic disorders, and medications. drugs such as specific antihypertensives, anticonvulsants and potent immunosuppressants cause gingival overgrowth. phenytoin (pht, 5,5-diphenylhydantoin) is widely used as an antiepileptic drug and remains the first choice for epilepsy. however, gingival overgrowth caused by administration of this drug leads to troublesome adverse effect. these troublesome problems are; psychological and/or esthetic problems, as a result of embedded and/or dislocated teeth; maloclusion, trismus, halitosis and because of the maloclusion; difficulties with speech, swallowing, and mouth closing. in this case report, clinic features, etiology, diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up results of gingival overgrowth associated with 32 aged male patient who used phenytoin long-term were reported. after surgical treatment, plaque control during treatment provided with the patient's oral hygiene and the professional care, and signs of inflammation decreased gradually. it was observed that gingival overgrowth didn’t occur again in the long-term follow-up period. consequently, careful dental plaque and inflammation control in addition to surgical removal of the overgrowed gingival tissues resulted in successful outcomes without the need to drug changing or cessation of drug administration