Treatment of gingival melanin hyperpigmentation with Er,Cr:YSGG laser: Short-term follow-up of patient

The increasing melanin hyperpigmentation of dark skinned individuals is related to the high activity of melanocytes. A healthy 36-year-old female patient complained about unaesthetic gingiva and she had been smoking for over 17 years and also smoking reactive the melanocytes. Gingival depigmentation is a periodontal plastic procedure which has been carried out by various techniques. Hyperpigmentation of gingiva was observed on the labial surface of both maxilla and mandibula. Erbium, chromium-doped yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser was used for depigmentation with wavelength of 2780 nm, frequency of 20 Hz, and pulse energy between 0 and 300 mJ. Topical anesthetic spray was applied and there was mild bleeding and pain in the operation area. The ablated regions were healed almost in 1 week. After 3-month and 6-month follow-up there were no repigmented areas. It may be concluded that the application of Er,Cr:YSGG laser appears to be a safe and an effective alternative procedure for the treatment of gingival melanin hyperpigmentation.