Gingival Depigmentation by cryosurgery using tetrafluroethane

Background: Cosmetic procedures have become an integral part of periodontology. Patients these days are more concerned about their smile and aesthetics. Gingival hyperpigmentation gives black appearance to the gums which are unaesthetic. Therefore this study was designed to test the efficacy of newly introduced cryogen, 1-1-1-2 tetraflouroethane for the treatment of gingival melanin hyperpigmentation. Aims: To test the efficacy of newly introduced cryogen 1-1-1-2 tetrafouroethane for gingival depigmentation Settings and Design: All the subjects were treated in the surgical section of the department of periodontology and Implantology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Dental College and Hospital, Pune, Methods and Material: Ten subjects(both males and females) in the age group of 18-50 yearshaving the complain of gingival hyper-melanin pigmentation were selected. Site for the study were the patients with pigmentation extending from distal of the right canine to the midline and distal of the left canine to the midline with a score of 2 or 3 on the Dummett and Gupta Gingival Pigmentation Index (DOPI). Subjects were evaluated based upon their DOPI scores, Visual Analogue pain scores and digital photographs Pre and Post-operatively. Statistical analysis used: Chi square test Results: The correlation of gingival pigmentation according to DOPI scores was carried out using chi square test [graph1] and a positive correlation was observed which was highly significant (P = 0.03) . Conclusions: Cryosurgical depigmentation of gingiva by TFE is a new method and can be used with minimum complications and equipment and is cost effective. However, to allow for its usage more commonly in routine dental practice, more studies with a large number of sample size including histological studies are needed. It can be concluded within the limitations of this study that it is a safe, cost effective, and non-invasive method for the treatment of gingival melanin pigmentation.