European Annals of Dental Sciences Official Publication of Ankara University, Faculty of Dentistry E A D S EADS, 2021, 48 (3), 95ś100 e-ISSN : 2757-6744 doi : 10.52037/eads.2021.0030 Article Received : July, 1 2021 Article Accepted : December, 1 2021 ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE Comparison of Diode Laser and Conventional Method in Treatment of Gingival Melanin Hyperpigmentation Revan Birke Koca-Ünsal ID 1,* , Gökhan Kasnak ID 2 and Erhan Fıratlı ID 3 1 Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Kyrenia, Kyrenia, Cyprus and 2 Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul Kent University, Istanbul, Turkey and 3 Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey * Corresponding Author; revanbirke.koca@kyrenia.edu.tr Abstract Purpose: The goal of this study is to compare the scalpel and diode laser methods for treating gingival hyperpigmentation in terms of postoperative discomfort and wound healing. Materials & Methods: Sixteen systemically healthy individuals diagnosed with light or moderate gingival hyperpigmentation were enrolled for this study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: scalpel or laser. Dummett’s oral pigmentation index was recorded at baseline. Early wound healing and post-operative discomfort were evaluated on the 7th day by using the VAS form. Comparisons between the groups were tested using the Mann-Whitney U test and P-value < 0.05 was considered signiőcant. Results: Total epithelization was observed in the laser group, whereas the epithelization was incomplete in the scalpel group at the end of the observation period. The pain perception on the őrst two days after the surgery was signiőcantly higher in the scalpel group than in the laser group. (p=0,002 and p=0,038, respectively). No signiőcant differences were found between the fourth- and seventh-day when surgical techniques were compared regarding pain perception (p>0,05). Similarly, pain perceptions of female and male individuals showed no signiőcant difference (p>0,05). Conclusion: In the treatment of gingival hyperpigmentation, both surgical techniques were clinically successful. Although the treatment process was long, according to the results of our study, the laser technique is superior to the scalpel method in terms of patient comfort. The choice of the method may vary depending on the available equipment and the clinician’s preference or request of the patient. Key words: diode laser; gingival hyperpigmentation; postoperative pain; scalpel; VAS Introduction Pathologically or physiologically, łhyperpigmentationž refers to an excess of melanin pigment in tissue, whereas gingival hyperpig- mentation is the excessive accumulation of the melanin pigment at the basal and suprabasal layers of the oral epithelium 1 . There is no direct correlation between the etiology of melanin pigmentation and race, age, or gender; however, drugs, heavy metals, and hor- monal disorders might be associated with hyperpigmentation 2,3 . In addition, smoking might provoke gingival pigmentation and the severity of the pigmentation can be related to the number of cigarettes smoked per dayhed 4,5 . According to literature, gingival discolorations might clinically show a diffuse pattern in the form of a smooth or scattered patch in dark colors such as brown/purple 6 . Although typical hyperpigmentation of the gingiva does not gener- ally pose a medical risk, it might be an esthetic problem for people with high smile lines. From the past to the present, various treatment methods have been applied for gingival depigmentation such as scalpel tech- nique 4 , bur abrasion, cryosurgery 7,8 , electrosurgery 9 , pharma- ceutical 10 and mucogingival 11 surgical procedures (free gingi- val graft or dermal matrix allograft) and laser applications 12,13 . Many aspects should be considered by clinicians when deciding on treatment approaches, including the prevalence, intensity, and severity of gingival hyperpigmentation. Furthermore, the surgical skills/experience of the clinician and the availability of equipment are factors that can directly impact the selection of the treatment protocol. The scalpel method is the most preferred method by clini- cians in treating gingival hyperpigmentation, as it does not require any special equipment, is easy to apply, and delivers prospering results. In this approach, the scalpel is held parallel to the gingival surface and scraped the epithelial layer of the hyperpigmented gin- How to cite: Koca-Unsal RB, Kasnak G, Firatli E. Comparison of Diode Laser and Conventional Method in Treatment of Gingival Melanin Hyperpigmentation. EADS. 2021;48(3):95-100