The measured effect of phenytoin withdrawal on gingival hyperplasia in children.

Gingival enlargement was studied and measured in ten patients before, and for 18 months after discontinuation of phenytoin therapy. A clinically evident decrease in gingival hyperplasia occurred after discontinuing phenytoin in all subjects; all subjects, however, had mild hyperplasia after 18 months. These results may encourage increased use of alternative antiseizure drugs.