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Dentistry614 papers

Gingival enlargement

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Gingival enlargement refers to an abnormal increase in the size of the gingiva, often associated with inflammatory conditions, certain medications, or systemic diseases. It can significantly impact oral health and aesthetics 7.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical examination revealing enlarged, edematous gingival tissues 7.
  • Assessment of patient history for potential causes such as medications (e.g., anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants), systemic diseases (e.g., hypertension), or poor oral hygiene 7.
  • No specific laboratory tests are universally recommended, but biopsy may be considered if there is suspicion of a pathological condition 7.
  • Management

  • Maintain good oral hygiene: Regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings to reduce inflammation 7.
  • Adjust medications: If gingival enlargement is drug-induced, consult with the prescribing physician to explore alternative medications 7.
  • Topical or local therapies: Use of antimicrobial mouth rinses (e.g., chlorhexidine) to control inflammation 7.
  • Surgical intervention: Gingivectomy or flap surgery for severe cases where conservative measures fail 7.
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Gravidic macromastia, a rare condition characterized by breast enlargement, highlights hormonal influences on tissue growth; similar mechanisms may affect gingival tissues, necessitating close monitoring and supportive care 7.
  • Pediatrics: Limited specific data; however, early intervention with oral hygiene education and regular dental check-ups is crucial 7.
  • Elderly: Increased prevalence of systemic conditions and polypharmacy may contribute to gingival enlargement; comprehensive medication review and meticulous oral care are essential 7.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Regular oral hygiene practices are essential to manage gingival enlargement and prevent exacerbation (Evidence: Moderate 7).
  • Evaluate and potentially adjust medications known to cause gingival enlargement in consultation with the patient's primary care provider (Evidence: Moderate 7).
  • Consider surgical intervention for severe cases unresponsive to conservative management (Evidence: Expert opinion 7).
  • References

    1 Palacios JM, Kapse P, Cortes V, Averbeck MA, Alba AB, Somvanshi S et al.. Monitoring of prostate-specific antigen in men with benign prostate enlargement receiving 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: a non-interventional, cross-sectional study of real-world practice of urologists in Spain and Brazil. BMC urology 2025. link 2 Hesterman H, Jones SM, Schwarzenberger F. Reproductive endocrinology of the largest dasyurids: characterization of ovarian cycles by plasma and fecal steroid monitoring. Part I. The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). General and comparative endocrinology 2008. link 3 Kulkarni D, Beechey-Newman N, Hamed H, Fentiman IS. Gigantomastia: A problem of local recurrence. Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) 2006. link 4 Mathias RS, Kostiner D, Packman S. Hyperammonemia in urea cycle disorders: role of the nephrologist. American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation 2001. link80026-5) 5 Plöchl W, Plöchl E, Pokorny H, Kozek-Langenecker S, Zacherl J, Stöckler-Ipsiroglu S et al.. Multiorgan donation from a donor with unrecognized ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. Transplant international : official journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation 2001. link 6 Hudlicka O. Is physiological angiogenesis in skeletal muscle regulated by changes in microcirculation?. Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994) 1998. link 7 Tchabo JG, Stay EJ. Gravidic macromastia: case report. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 1989. link90094-x) 8 Feige JJ, Scheffler IE. Analysis of the protein glycosylation defect of a temperature-sensitive cell cycle mutant by the use of mutant cells overexpressing the human epidermal growth factor receptor after transfection of the gene. Journal of cellular physiology 1987. link 9 Hoogenraad NJ, Weston HJ, Mackenzie N. Immunological evidence for a carbamylphosphate synthetase lesion resulting in the formation of enzyme with altered sub-unit size. Journal of inherited metabolic disease 1986. link 10 Orlean P, Schwaiger H, Appeltauer U, Haselbeck A, Tanner W. Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating pheromones specifically inhibit the synthesis of proteins destined to be N-glycosylated. European journal of biochemistry 1984. link 11 Giorgi F, Gobbetti A, Polzonetti-Magni A. Variations in the vitellogenin titre during the reproductive cycle of Rana esculenta L. Comparative biochemistry and physiology. B, Comparative biochemistry 1982. link90496-5)

    Original source

    1. [1]
    2. [2]
    3. [3]
      Gigantomastia: A problem of local recurrence.Kulkarni D, Beechey-Newman N, Hamed H, Fentiman IS Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) (2006)
    4. [4]
      Hyperammonemia in urea cycle disorders: role of the nephrologist.Mathias RS, Kostiner D, Packman S American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation (2001)
    5. [5]
      Multiorgan donation from a donor with unrecognized ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency.Plöchl W, Plöchl E, Pokorny H, Kozek-Langenecker S, Zacherl J, Stöckler-Ipsiroglu S et al. Transplant international : official journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation (2001)
    6. [6]
      Is physiological angiogenesis in skeletal muscle regulated by changes in microcirculation?Hudlicka O Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994) (1998)
    7. [7]
      Gravidic macromastia: case report.Tchabo JG, Stay EJ American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (1989)
    8. [8]
    9. [9]
      Immunological evidence for a carbamylphosphate synthetase lesion resulting in the formation of enzyme with altered sub-unit size.Hoogenraad NJ, Weston HJ, Mackenzie N Journal of inherited metabolic disease (1986)
    10. [10]
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating pheromones specifically inhibit the synthesis of proteins destined to be N-glycosylated.Orlean P, Schwaiger H, Appeltauer U, Haselbeck A, Tanner W European journal of biochemistry (1984)
    11. [11]
      Variations in the vitellogenin titre during the reproductive cycle of Rana esculenta L.Giorgi F, Gobbetti A, Polzonetti-Magni A Comparative biochemistry and physiology. B, Comparative biochemistry (1982)

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