Abstract
Background/Objectives: Gingival enlargement is a very common problem, especially after orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the healing process of gingival enlargement in adolescents with and without fixed orthodontic appliances following periodontal treatment and to evaluate the clinical response associated with laser-assisted gingival surgery.
Methods: A total of 60 individuals participated in the study. Test Group 1 (T1- 20 individuals) consisted of individuals with gingival enlargement after orthodontic treatment who underwent Er,Cr:YSGG laser gingivectomy and gingivoplasty; Test Group 2 (T2- 20 individuals) consisted of individuals with gingival enlargement after orthodontic treatment who underwent gingivectomy and gingivoplasty with conventional hand instruments; and Control Group (K- 20 individuals) consisted of individuals with gingival enlargement without orthodontic treatment who underwent Er,Cr:YSGG laser gingivectomy and gingivoplasty. Patients with fixed orthodontic appliances constituted the test group. All participants were healthy, non-smokers, and 12–18 years of age, with gingival enlargement primarily affecting the labial surfaces of the anterior teeth. Clinical periodontal parameters, including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and gingival overgrowth index (GOI), were evaluated at baseline and on days 1, 30, and 90 after treatment.
Results: All groups demonstrated improvements in periodontal parameters during follow-up. The T1 and C groups showed a rapid postoperative reduction in BOP and a marked reduction in GOI compared with baseline. Differences between groups became less pronounced during subsequent follow-up, and several parameters were similar by day 30 and day 90. The clinical observations suggest that laser-assisted gingival surgery can be a useful treatment option for gingival enlargement in adolescents receiving fixed orthodontic treatment.
Conclusions: The apparent advantages include effective tissue management, hemostasis, limited postoperative discomfort, and favorable early healing. The findings also emphasize that laser treatment should be considered an adjunct to, rather than a substitute for, meticulous plaque control and professional periodontal maintenance. Because the present study included a relatively small sample and had limitations in group comparability and follow-up duration, larger prospective studies with standardized treatment protocols are required to confirm the findings and establish the long-term periodontal benefits of laser therapy in orthodontic patients.