A comparison of gingival depigmentation by Er:YAG laser and Kirkland knife: osmotic pressure and visual analog scale

ABSTRACT

Background: The aim of this study was to compare osmotic pressure (OP) 1 week after the gingival depigmentation in two diffeent methods: Er: YAG laser and Kirkland knife. Methods: This study included 20 patients, 13 women, and 7 men who had esthetic complaints of gingival melanin hyperpigmentation. The left side of the maxilla and mandible were depigmented with Er:YAG laser using air and water spray and the right side was removed with a Kirkland knife. Gingival biopsies were obtained from attached gingiva of operation sides with approximate dimensions of 2 mm × 2 mm before and 1 week after the depigmentation. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain level experienced by each patient. Results: Patients reported no pain at the gingivoplasty sides after 4 days and at the laser sides after 3 days. There were not statistical differences between laser and gingivoplasty groups according to values of OP (P > 0.05). Conclusion: According to results of wound healing, OP and VAS, two depigmentation procedures can be used safely and effectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Er:YAG laser
• melanin
• osmotic pressure
• gingival depigmentation

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Scientific Research Fund of Ondokuz Mayis University (PYO.DIS.1904.09.015).