Comparative efficacy of scalpel and diode laser techniques in gingival depigmentation: A split-mouth randomized controlled trial with RGB photographic Quantification.

BACKGROUND

Gingival aesthetics, integral to a smile's attractiveness, can be significantly impacted by pigmentation. Melanin, produced by melanocytes, contributes to this pigmentation, which can be addressed through various depigmentation techniques. This study aims to compare the efficacy of conventional scalpel and diode laser methods for gingival depigmentation using RGB photographic analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This split-mouth, randomized controlled trial involved five participants with bilateral maxillary gingival hyperpigmentation. One sextant per participant was treated with a scalpel (Group 1), and the contralateral sextant was treated with a diode laser (940 nm) (Group 2). Parameters assessed included intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain (VAS), wound healing (Wound Healing Index), and pigmentation (Dummett Oral Pigmentation Index). RGB photographic analysis was used to quantify colour changes.

RESULTS

No significant difference was observed in intraoperative bleeding between the groups (p = 0.31). Postoperative pain was significantly lower in Group 2 on Day 1 (p = 0.01), though this difference was not significant by Day 7 (p = 0.25). Wound healing scores were comparable at 7 days and 6 months but were significantly better in Group 2 at 12 months (p = 0.01). Pigmentation reduction was significantly greater in Group 2 at 6 months (p = 0.01), but the difference was not significant at 12 months (p = 1.00). RGB analysis revealed that Group 2 achieved superior control of pigmentation, with significant differences in red, green, and blue values at multiple time points (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Diode laser treatment (Group 2) demonstrated superior aesthetic outcomes and reduced postoperative pain compared to the scalpel technique (Group 1), along with more effective long-term pigmentation control. RGB analysis provided valuable objective data supporting these findings.