Hypertrophic gingivitis

Hypertrophic gingivitis is a form of gingivitis that causes enlargement of gingival margin. Moreover, it can also cause enlargement of interdental papillae.

Symptoms of hypertrophic gingivitis:

The first symptom caused by the disease is usually gingival hypertrophy complicated by inflammation and edema. Most patients notice change of shape and sometimes even slight change of color of the gum. However, there is no gingival hemorrhage or painfulness. The gum looks like a cushion with thickened base. The surface of such cushion is uneven, knobby. Hardening of interdental papillae is another symptom of the disease.

Treatment of hypertrophic gingivitis:

Before one starts treatment of hypertrophic gingivitis, it is absolutely necessary to find out the cause of it. The thing is that there is little mucous membrane in the mouth cavity. A very small amount of it is located on the gingival margin. Removal of infected mucous membrane is a risky procedure as new mucous membrane will never replace the removed one.

Most dentists decide not to risk. It is always better (but not easier) to find out the initial cause of the disease and eliminate it.

When gingivitis is caused by hormonal changes, it is recommended to consult an endocrinologist. Sometimes hypertrophic gingivitis can be caused by a crown or a filling. In that case your dentist will remove the cause of inflammation at once right during the primary inspection. Hypertrophic gingivitis can be also caused by such diseases as leukemia, diabetes, and some other diseases. Gingivitis can be even caused by pregnancy. But pregnancy gingivitis demands no special therapy. It will simply disappear as soon as the child is born. In certain cases even elimination of the cause of hypertrophic gingivitis will be not effective. In such cases the only way out is operative intervention - gingivectomy and gingivotomy.

Treatment of hypertrophic gingivitis includes medicamental therapy as well as physiotherapy. Such complex approach turns out t be more effective. Mind that any form of gingivitis can be successfully treated. The only thing you have to do is to see your dentist as soon as you have paid attention to some problems with your teeth. Then there will be no necessity to fight with severe form of the disease.