Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth

OBJECTIVE To investigate the pathogenic mechanisms and the methods of prevention and cure of drug-induced gingival overgrowth, and provide the information for rational use of drugs in clinic. METHODS To retrieve relate literatures in domestic and abroad, and review the literatures. RESULTS The main drugs that induced gingival overgrowth are calcium antagonists, antiepileptics and immunosuppressive agents cyclosporine A. The pathogenic mechanisms of drug-induced gingival overgrowth are multiformity. The main mechanism is reduceing the affinity of α2β1 integrin and collagen, and the phagocytosis of collagen, and inducing accumulation of type Ⅰ collagen. Reasonable drug selection and maintaining oral hygiene are the effective methods preventing drug-induced gingival overgrowth. The main method of therapy for drug-induced gingival overgrowth is gingivectomy. CONCLUSION Drug-induced gingival overgrowth may affect the mastication, speech, toothbrushing and physiognomy, but there is not serious clinical outcomes, and it should be learned by medical workers and patients.