Gingival melanin depigmentation with 4 different laser wavelengths 445, 940, 1064 and 2940 nm: a case report

INTRODUCTION Melanin gingival hyperpigmentation is not reported as a medical problem, but many patients may consider their black-colored gingiva unpleasing. (1) Gingival depigmentation is a periodontal plastic surgical procedure, and several methods have been employed to create a more esthetic smile. Recently, lasers have been reported as a successful treatment method for gingival depigmentation with several benefits in comparison to the previously mentioned methods. Laser therapy is generally a noninvasive technology, and many patients prefer it as it is painless requiring minimum amount of local anesthetics with less postoperative pain, swelling and discomfort and better wound healing. (2,3) METHODOLOGY A 19-year-old female patient of slightly dark skin, described in this clinical report, with a chief complaint of dark colored gums that appear during speech and smiling. She reported that this discoloration is not of a recent appearance and there is a family history of this condition too. She was medically free and denied taking any medication that may have caused this pigmentation. Upon extraoral examination, the patient had a high smile line. Moreover, the intraoral examination revealed score 3 gingival pigmentation index (4) (diffuse brown to black pigmentation, marginal, and attached). (Figure 1)