How much do you know about gingival enlargement?

Types and Causes of Gingival Enlargement

• Chronic inflammatory gingival enlargement is caused by prolonged exposure to dental plaque and factors that favor its accumulation and retention.
• Gingivitis and gingival enlargement are often seen in mouth breathers, particularly in the maxillary anterior region.
• Acute inflammatory gingival enlargement results from foreign substances forcefully embedded into the gingiva and is confined to the gingiva.
• A gingival abscess is a localized, painful, rapidly expanding lesion that is usually of sudden onset and limited to the marginal gingiva or interdental papilla.
• Periodontal abscesses may be acute or chronic, with the acute periodontal abscess accompanied by symptoms such as throbbing, radiating pain, and tooth mobility.
• The chronic periodontal abscess is usually asymptomatic but may undergo acute exacerbations.
• The principal differences between the periodontal abscess and the gingival abscess are the location and history.
• The enlargement caused by phenytoin is chronic and slowly increases in size, and its surgical removal often results in recurrence.
• Drug-induced enlargement may occur in mouths with little or no plaque and may be absent in mouths with abundant deposits.
• Phenytoin may induce a decrease in collagen degradation as a result of the production of an inactive fibroblastic collagenase.
• Gingival enlargement occurs in about 50% of patients receiving phenytoin, with reports indicating a relation between the drug dosage and the degree of gingival overgrowth.
• Oral hygiene reduces inflammation but does not lessen or prevent the overgrowth, and a genetic tendency is a suspected factor in determining whether a person treated with phenytoin will develop gingival enlargement or not.

Test your knowledge on the different types and causes of gingival enlargement with this informative quiz. From chronic inflammatory gingival enlargement to drug-induced enlargement, this quiz will cover various factors that contribute to this common dental issue. Learn about the symptoms, location, and history of gingival and periodontal abscesses, as well as the relationship between phenytoin and collagen degradation. Improve your understanding of oral health and discover how genetics can play a role in developing gingival enlargement.