Drug Induced Gingival Overgrowth

The term gingival overgrowth encompasses a wide range of gingival lesions resulting from various etiologic factors. Certain drugs used for non-dental conditions are known to cause a peculiar type of enlargement collectively known as drug induced gingival overgrowth. The most common overgrowth causing drugs are anticonvulsants like phenytoin calcium channel blockers like amlodipine nifedipine etc . and immunosuppressants like cyclosporin. It is of utmost important that these lesions be treated either surgically or non-surgically to enable patients to maintain optimum oral hygiene and prevent periodontitis from setting in.