Surgical treatment option for amlodipine infl uenced gingival overgrowth in the hypertensive patient

Abstract

Drug-influenced gingival overgrowth (DIGO) is an important clinical fi nding. A number of local and systemic factors such as plaque, hormonal changes, drug ingestion, heredity can cause or infl uence gingival overgrowth. Some anticonvulsants, immuno-suppressivedrugs and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are known to cause gingival overgrowths in certain patients. Amlodipine which belongs to group of CCBs may induce gingival overgrowth in case of underlying infl ammatory component. A 38-year-old hypertensive female patient on amlodipine (10 mg/day, single dose orally) since 8 months, soughtdental attention because of the resultant gingival overgrowth. Clinical examination, medical history, and histological assessment further helped to formulate a diagnosis of DIGO. Six weeks after Phase I therapy and drug substitution, undisplaced fl ap surgery was performed. The patient’s gingiva seemed to be normal at 6 months follow-up visit, with no signs of recurrence