ENHANCING GINGIVAL AESTHETICS: MICRO-NEEDLING WITH TOPICAL VITAMIN C FOR DEPIGMENTATION -A IN VIVO CLINICAL STUDY

*Dr. Pradnya Gaikwad, Dr. Mona Shah, Dr. Rasika Painter, Dr. Vishnu Maske

ABSTRACT

Background: Aesthetics is vital in dental treatment, emphasizing cosmetic outcomes alongside functionality. Healthy gums are crucial for an appealing smile, but conditions like gingival melanin hyperpigmentation can negatively affect aesthetics, prompting interest in cosmetic procedures. While various depigmentation methods are available, they often have drawbacks such as pain and recurrence. Newer techniques like micro-needling and vitamin C mesotherapy show promise for reducing pigmentation and enhancing tissue quality, thereby improving patient satisfaction. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of micro-needling for treating gingival hyperpigmentation. Materials and methods: In a study involving 30 patients with gingival depigmentation, a pre-operative phase included thorough medical histories, clinical exams, periodontal treatment, and baseline measurements. Key clinical characteristics evaluated were gingival pigmentation, discomfort, and wound healing. Each patient underwent scaling and root planning, followed by a surgical procedure with micro-needling and ascorbic acid paste application. Follow-up assessments at baseline, 2, 4, and 12 weeks measured pigmentation, discomfort, wound healing, and included clinical photography. Results: Results showed a significant reduction in pigmentation scores over 12 weeks when analyzed using Friedman’s test with statistically significant differences in DOPI and WHI across multiple time intervals, attributed to micro-needling enhancing vitamin C absorption and its anti-melanogenic properties. Postoperative discomfort was minimal, and most patients reported high satisfaction with the results. Conclusion: The study highlights that the positive results can be linked to the combined effects of micro-needling and topical vitamin C, positioning this treatment as a minimally invasive, cost-effective, safe, and clinically effective option for gingival depigmentation.

Keywords: Gingival aesthetics, Micro-needling, Depigmentation, Vitamin C ,Gingival wound healing.