Drug Induced Gingival Overgrowth

Sujata Tungare; Arati G. Paranjpe.

Author Information

Last Update: September 25, 2021.

Go to:

Continuing Education Activity

Drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO), also referred to as drug-induced gingival enlargement, and previously
known as drug-induced gingival hyperplasia, is a noted side-effect of certain drugs given for non-dental uses where the
gingival tissue is not the intended target organ. The key offending drug classes are anticonvulsants,
immunosuppressants and calcium channel blockers. This activity presents the causes, pathophysiology, and diagnosis
of gingival overgrowth and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in its management.
Objectives:
 Identify the types of drugs associated with gingival overgrowth.
 Review the pathophysiology of drug-induced gingival overgrowth.
 Summarize the treatment and management options available for gingival overgrowth.
 Describe some interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and outcomes in patients with
gingival overgrowth.
Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.
Go to:

Introduction
Drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO), also referred to as drug-induced gingival enlargement, and previously
known as drug-induced gingival hyperplasia, is a side-effect of certain drugs where the gingival tissue is not the
intended target organ. The key offending drug classes are anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, and calcium channel
blockers.[1] Gingival overgrowth impedes proper dental hygiene and, apart from the cosmetic damage, causes painful
chewing and eating.
A non-surgical approach is the first line of treatment, including appropriate plaque control and discontinuing or
changing the inducing drug. In the recent years azythromicin has gained a lot of attention due to its capacity to improve
gingival overgrowths in patients taking cyclosporin A, avoiding the need of changing the drug to another agent.
Surgical management comes in play only when medical treatment is unsuccessful, however, recurrences are common
and the results last for usually twelve months.[2]
Go to:

Etiology
Drugs are the most common reason behind gingival enlargements. DIGO is a side effect seen in patients taking
anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, or calcium channel blockers. It is associated with the patient's genetic
predisposition and the presence of existing plaque or gingival inflammation.[3]
Anticonvulsants
Phenytoin (PHT, or 5,5-diphenylhydantoin), sodium valproate, phenobarbitone, vigabatrin, primidone, mephenytoin,
and ethosuximide are some of the drugs that cause gingival hypertrophy. However, phenytoin is the anticonvulsant
most associated with gingival enlargements.[4] It is used to treat temporal lobe, tonic-clonic, and psychomotor
seizures.[4]
Drugs like PHT, phenobarbitone, and primidone are metabolized to 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl) 5-phenyl hydantoin (4-
HPPH), responsible for overgrowth gingival tissue.
At times, multiple anticonvulsants are given together, acting synergistically and aggravating the condition.
Immunosuppressants
Immunosuppressants are prescribed after organ transplantation to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as renal
transplants, and treat some autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis.[4]
Cyclosporin, sirolimus, and tacrolimus are immunosuppressants linked to gingival enlargement. Cyclosporin is the
most frequently prescribed immunosuppressive drug after an organ transplant, and the incidence of gingival
overgrowth has been found in nearly 53% of patients taking cyclosporin after renal transplants.[5] Tacrolimus, on the
other hand, is less toxic than cyclosporin, causing less severe gingival overgrowth, hepatic and renal
toxicity.[6][7][6] Sirolimus is another immunosuppressant that has shown a predisposition to gingival
enlargement.[8][9][10][8]
Calcium Channel Blocker
Calcium channel blockers are indicated for treating hypertension, angina pectoris, and peripheral vascular
disease.[4] These include nifedipine, nitrendipine, felodipine, amlodipine, nisoldipine, verapamil, and diltiazem.
Seymour et al. reported the first case of gingival overgrowth attributed to amlodipine in 1994. Lafzi et al. reported
gingival hypertrophy in patients receiving 10 mg of amlodipine daily within two months of the onset of treatment.[11]
Renal transplant patients taking immunosuppressants like cyclosporin show a greater propensity to develop gingival
hypertrophy when put on nifedipine or diltiazem. However, the extent of hypertrophy is more significant with
cyclosporin.[4] Combinations of these drugs could act synergistically, causing exaggerated hypertrophy of gingival
tissue.
Go to:

Epidemiology
Drug-induced gingival overgrowth is most commonly seen in male children and adolescents, with a most prevalent
location in the anterior gingival tissue. The genotype of the individual have an effect on the development of
DIGO,[12] and the extent and degree of overgrowth depend on the drug. Phenytoin, cyclosporin, and nifedipine are the
most common causes of gingival overgrowth, and phenytoin has the highest prevalence of all. It is estimated that 50%
of adults treated with phenytoin experience gingival enlargement, 30% with cyclosporin, and 20% with nifedipine.[13]
Go to:

Pathophysiology
In 1996, Seymour et al. postulated the theory of genetic predisposition for the etiopathology of DIGO.[3][14] This is
substantiated because some individuals develop gingival overgrowth and some do not whilst on the same drug. The
usual inflammatory response of gingival fibroblasts and subsequent proliferation of connective tissue matrix
emphasizes the heterogenetic character of the individual’s gingival fibroblasts in response to the inducing drugs.
The common mechanism of action at the cellular level of all these three categories of dissimilar drugs appears to be
inhibition of cation influx, particularly sodium and calcium ions. Gingival overgrowth is
multifactorial.[14][15][4] Bacterial plaque appears to be a contributory factor, and the severity of gingival overgrowth
is directly proportional to the degree of plaque buildup and plaque-induced inflammation. Decreased cation dependant
folic acid (FA) active transport within gingival fibroblasts causes reduced FA uptake by the cells, causing changes in
the metabolism of matrix metalloproteinases and inability to activate collagenase. This results in an accumulation of
connective tissue and collagen due to a lack of collagenase.
Gingival Fibroblasts and Cellular Folate Uptake
Inducing drugs act as a trigger for the activation and proliferation of gingival fibroblasts, causing an increased
production of GAGs (glycosaminoglycans) in the connective tissue. These drugs decrease cellular uptake of folate by
genetically predispose fibroblasts. Reduced intracellular folate translates into a decrease in the synthesis or activation of
MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases), which are required to convert inactive collagenase to active collagenase, allowing
an excess of connective tissue build up. Brown et al. (1991) postulated that bacterial plaque contributes to gingival
inflammation, which completes the vicious cycle.
Matrix M etalloproteinases
These are more than 20 enzymes that bring about the degradation of connective tissue and tissue remodeling. These
include collagenases, gelatinases, and stromelysins. Inhibition of activation of these can result in the accumulation of
extracellular matrix and collagen and cause DIGO.
Inflammatory Cytokines
Inflamed gingival tissue exhibits higher levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), a proinflammatory cytokine. Likewise,
IL-6 causes fibroblastic proliferation and increased production of collagen and GAG synthesis.[4]
Na+/ Ca2+ ion Flux Drug Mechanisms
Fugi and Kobayashi (1990) reported inhibition of Ca2+ uptake within gingival fibroblasts by PHT and several calcium
channel blockers (CCBAs). Thomas and Petrou (2013) reported a reduction in Na+ channel availability and, therefore,
a decrease in the action potential amplitude. This causes reduced Ca2+ entry, and a decrease in Ca2+ activated K+
channels. All three types of DIGO-inducing drugs act on Ca2+ flux similarly.
Plaque Buildup
The concentrated drug in crevicular gingival fluid or bacterial plaque exerts a direct toxic effect on the gingival tissue.
Dental plaque induces inflammation, which causes gingival overgrowth. Inflammation causes the upregulation of
transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). Hence, control of dental plaque is needed in the treatment and
prevention of DIGO over time.
Go to:

Histopathology
In DIGO, the pathological changes lie in the connective tissue and not the epithelial cells of the gingiva. There is an
excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix-like collagen with varying amounts of inflammatory infiltrates,
predominantly plasma cells. Fibroblastic proliferation may not be evident. Erratic columns of collagen fibers are seen
interspersed with penetrating epithelial ridges.[4]
Go to:

History and Physical

Patients with DIGO will report a past medical history of hypertension, angina, epilepsy, or recent organ transplant.
They typically present with gingival enlargement, pain during mastication, and cosmetic disfigurement one to three
months after starting treatment with one of the drugs associated with the disease.[4] The gingival enlargement caused
by the drug makes oral hygiene challenging, leading to increased plaque accumulation, resulting in secondary
inflammation.[16]
Not all drug-induced gingival overgrowth lesions are fibrotic like it was previously believed. According to histological
and histomorphometric analyses, phenytoin-induced lesions are the most fibrotic. Cyclosporin-induced lesions are more
inflamed and show a low fibrotic component, and nifedipine lesions are mixed.[17]
Clinical Findings
 1. Firm, painless, nodular enlargement of the interdental papilla, limited to the keratinized portions of the gingiva
and extending to the facial and lingual gingival margins.
2. In severe cases, a huge fold of hypertrophied gingival tissue is observed covering the crowns.
3. If no secondary inflammation is present, it appears firm and pale pink with minute lobulations, pouting from
underneath the gingival margin, delineated by a groove of tissue that does not bleed on touch.
4. If secondary inflammation exists, the gingiva appears smooth, and red or bluish-red.
5. The enlargement is generalized, but it is usually greater in the anterior regions.
6. Typically, it is not seen in edentulous areas.[16]
7. The gingival overgrowth disappears when teeth are extracted.[16]
Go to:

Evaluation
The diagnosis of drug-induced gingival overgrowth is made by clinical examination and the patient's past medical
history.
 A periodontal examination is necessary to evaluate for the presence of periodontal disease.
 Full mouth periapical radiographs and orthopantomography are required before beginning any treatment to rule
out periodontal disease.
 Complete blood count (CBC) is indicated in patients with gingival enlargement if there is a presence of profuse
gingival bleeding, even if it is drug-induced, to rule out anemia and leukemia.
 Tissue biopsy should be carried out in case the presentation of the disease is unusual.
 Histopathological examination of persisting overgrowths is mandatory to evaluate malignant changes [12]
 Candidiasis and other infections may be ruled out by taking a culture.
Go to:

Treatment / Management
The aim of treatment in DIGO is to alleviate the patients' discomfort, enabling them to do simple acts like eating and
chewing pain-free, treat the inflammation, reduce the swelling, and give a better cosmetic appearance to the gingiva.
The modalities of treatment are medical and surgical. Medical management is the first line of therapy, whereas surgery
is reserved for recurrences or cases that persist despite good medical treatment.
Discontinuing or changing the medication must be placed under consideration.[18][13] An alternative to phenytoin
includes carbamazepine and valproic acid, which have shown a lower rate of gingival enlargement. Diltiazem and
verapamil exhibit a lower prevalence of gingival enlargement compared to nifedipine. Cyclosporin substitution is more
complicated because there are limited options available. Cyclosporin can be substituted by tacrolimus, and the use of
azithromycin in combination with cyclosporin has shown a decrease in the severity of DIGO.[19]
Plaque control should be the first step in the treatment of DIGO, correct oral hygiene, and professional plaque removal,
including tooth surface cleaning and periodic scaling.[20][21]
Control of inflammation, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics to control infection, and topical
antifungal medication like nystatin, may also be utilized. Folate supplementation has also been used.[22]
A sufficient period of six to twelve months should be allowed to elapse after discontinuing the inducing drug before
surgery is considered.[19]The surgical methods include gingivectomy and periodontal flap surgery. Electrocautery may
be used in difficult cases, children, or where the gingiva is fragile and likely to bleed. The CO2 laser has a wavelength
of 10600 nm; hence, it is readily absorbed by water and is effective in the surgery of soft tissues with high water
content like the gingiva. Blood vessels up to a diameter of 0.5 mm can be sealed effectively and provide a dry field for
better visibility of the surgical field. A laser is preferred over the scalpel as it has strong bactericidal and hemostatic
effects.[20][2]
The Role of Azithromycin in Cyclosporin Induced Gingival Overgrowth
In the last decade, researchers have found that azithromycin can help to reverse gingival overgrowth caused by
cyclosporine A in renal transplant patients.[23] Interestingly, azithromycin does not alter the cyclosporin A blood
levels or the renal function, avoiding the need of changing this drug to another anticonvulsant due to DIGO.[23]
The effect of azithromycin on cyclosporine A-induced collagen turnover and cell proliferation was studied by Kim et
al. They concluded that azithromycin: inhibits the proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts, and collagen
accumulation - both induced by cyclosporin A – activates MMP-2 in renal transplant and normal fibroblast, inhibits
mRNA levels of type 1 collagen and rises levels of MMP-2.[23]
Go to:

Differential Diagnosis
 False enlargement of gingival tissue: pseudo-enlargement of the gingiva, caused by an enlarged underlying
bony tissue. The gingiva here has no abnormality.
 Inflammation: chronically inflamed gingival tissue is red or violaceous, smooth, and tends to bleed on the
touch.
 Familial or hereditary conditions: examples include familial fibromatosis, idiopathic fibromatosis,
gingivomatosis, and hereditary gingival hyperplasia. The gingiva is pink, non-tender, involves the attached
gingiva, the gingival margin, and the interdental papillae, and has a firm and leathery consistency.
 Physiological states: puberty and pregnancy are associated with gingival enlargement.
 Scurvy: vitamin C deficiency can produce very tender bleeding gingiva.
 Systemic diseases: leukemia, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis - their diagnosis can be corroborated hematologically.
A thorough history, physical examination, and investigations, including biopsy, may be required to confirm the
etiology in all these conditions.
Conditions Similar to Gingival Enlargement
 Fibrous epulis/peripheral fibroma
 Angiogranuloma/Pyogenic granuloma
 Gingival cysts
 Neoplasms: They can be benign or malignant. Benign lesions include fibroma, peripheral and central giant cell
granuloma, papilloma, leukoplakia, nevus, hemangioma, leukoplakia, nevus, myoblastoma, hemangioma,
neurilemoma, neurofibroma, ameloblastoma. Malignant tumors include squamous cell carcinoma, Kaposi's
sarcoma, among others.[24]
Go to:

Prognosis
If the medication inducing the gingival overgrowth can be changed to a drug that is less associated with this
complication, the gingival tissue may return to normal with the aid of adequate plaque control. The gingival
enlargement can persist, despite drug substitution and good plaque control, and in this case, surgical management to
restore normal gingival contours is required. These modalities of treatment, although effective, do not always prevent
the recurrence of the enlargement. DIGO recurrence in surgically treated cases may appear as soon as three to six
months after the procedure. In general, the results last for at least twelve months.[2]
Go to:

Complications
 Functional difficulties
 Esthetic concerns
 Increased incidence of caries
 Delayed eruption of teeth
 Pathological drifting of teeth
 Prolonged retention of the primary dentition
 Diastemas and spacing problems
 Poor plaque control leading to periodontal complications [2]
Go to:

Deterrence and Patient Education

Some studies indicate that bacterial plaque is a prerequisite for the disease to occur. On the contrary, others believe that
the presence of dental plaque is a consequence of the difficulty that the gingival enlargement represents to dental
hygiene, which then exacerbates the severity of the overgrowth.[2] In any case, one thing is certain: bacterial plaque
plays an essential role in developing DIGO, and patients must be educated about adequate dental brushing and flossing
techniques that may be accompanied by chlorhexidine gluconate rinses to control the levels of bacterial plaque. Regular
appointments with their dentist must be accomplished to perform professional cleaning of the teeth. These measures
can prevent or decrease the rate and the degree to which recurrence occurs.
Go to:

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

Since the condition is entirely drug-induced, patient education about the side effects of the implicated drugs before
starting treatment is warranted, and the importance of good dental hygiene should be emphasized [2]. Drug-
induced gingival enlargement has a good prognosis and is generally reversible on stopping or substituting the offending
drug. An interdisciplinary approach is needed as the primary clinician, the dentist, and the healthcare team should work
together to address the patient's signs and symptoms adequately [Level V].