Search

Background: Gingival hyperpigmentation, "black gum," refers to black discrete single or multiple pigments on the gingiva. Several factors may play a role in gingival hyperpigmentation ranging from physiologic pigmentation to manifestations of systemic diseases. Several techniques have been used for gingival depigmentation to lighten its color., Methods: Fifteen patients exhibiting nonsmoking melanin hyperpigmentation, with the mean age of 28.6 ± 7.8 years, were recruited. The facial gingiva of the anterior teeth and premolars of each jaw was divided into two halves. The right or left side of each jaw quadrant randomly received either diode laser operating at 980 nm wavelength or erbium-YAG laser at 2940 nm. Parameters such as degree of gingival depigmentation, bleeding, pain, patient satisfaction, and wound healing were assessed and compared between the two techniques. The subjects were followed up to six months for melanin pigmentation recurrence., Results: Both techniques were efficient for gingival depigmentation. Nevertheless, bleeding during surgery was statistically higher for Er:YAG laser technique as compared to diode laser. Wound healing showed statistically nonsignificant differences between the two lasers, although Er:YAG seems to give better outcomes than the diode. The patients were satisfied with both laser techniques during and after gingival depigmentation. However, the pain score was higher for Er:YAG laser than for diode laser., Conclusion: This study demonstrated that both lasers' techniques are efficient for gingival depigmentation. However, diode laser seems to show less painful experience and relatively better bleeding control., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Zaid Kamel Jnaid Harb et al.)

Objective: To investigate into the prevalence of the SP complex elongation among patients attending RAK Dental College Clinic., Material and Methods: A 3234 radiographic images of patients aged ≥18 years were examined. The O'Carroll (1984) classification of stylohyoid complex was used. Age, gender, ethnicity and patterns of calcification were recorded and analyzed. Chi-squared and ANOVA tests were used to detect potential differences., Results: Male to female ratio was 1.9:1. There were 1150 (35.6%) subjects in age group-I (18-39) and 2084 (64.4%) subjects in the age group-II (≥40). The mean age was 38.12 (±13.2). Fifty seven % (1836) of the subjects were eastern Asians, 671 (21%) Africans, 325 (10%) Middle east, 254 (8%) Europe, and 148 (4%) other ethnicities. A normal SP was found in 1601 (49.51%) of the images, elongated in 903 (27.92%), calcified in 406 (12.55) and undetected in 324 (10.2%). The elongated and the calcified styloid processes were more common in males (p=0.0078). The elongated and the calcified SP were more frequent in group II subjects (p=0.0004). Eastern Asians had higher percentage of elongated and calcified SP p= 0.00567., Conclusion: Although 1601 (49.51%) of subjects had normal SP, the study revealed a high prevalence of SP elongation among eastern Asians. There is a strong association between the age and the SP elongation. It is crucial to include the head and neck symptoms of non-odontogenic origin in the differential diagnosis of Eagle's syndrome. The study recommends further investigation using some advanced imaging techniques., Competing Interests: Conflict of interesent: None declared