Cryosurgical treatment of melanin-pigmented gingiva.

OBJECTIVE

Abnormal deposition of melanin in gingiva can often occur. Complaints of "black gums" are common, and demand for depigmentation is usually made for esthetic reasons. A simple and effective cryosurgical technique to eliminate the pigmentation is the subject of this article.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty patients with dark gingiva were treated by direct application of liquid nitrogen with a cotton swab for 20 to 30 seconds.

RESULTS

The treated gingiva appeared normal within 1 to 2 weeks after 1 or 2 cryosurgical treatments. The acceptance of the treatment was excellent.

CONCLUSIONS

This was a simple, bloodless cryosurgery for the depigmentation of gingiva, requiring no local anesthesia or sophisticated equipment.