CLINICAL AND THERAPEUTICAL ASPECTS OF GINGIVAL OVERGROWTHS INDUCED BY ANTICONVULSIVE DRUGS (PHENYTOIN)

Authors: Mihaela Diana GHEBAN, Diana CRISTEA, Liliana Gabriela HALIŢCHI, Cătălina GÎRBEA

Abstract:

Hypertrophic drug-induced gingivites aroused a special interest from the part of researches, if considering the quite numerous studies devoted to the clinical aspects and treatment of such pathological gingival manifestations. In this context, the first observation to be made is the absence of an unanimous position as to their treatment, starting from the prophylaxy up to the most recent surgical techniques. The risk of the manifestation of post-drug adverse effects influences any decision related to drug prescription and, finally, to their consumption. Some drugs are associated with a higher incidence of anomalies in children. For example, gingival hyperplasia induced by phenytoin is more frequent in children and adolescents than in adult persons. An overgrowth of the gingiva may be observed in more than 50% of the persons receiving phenytoin (Dilantin).

Keywords:
  • epilepsy
  • GINGIVAL OVERGROWTH
  • phenytoin.