Initial periodontal therapy for seven patients with aplastic anemia and drug-induced gingival overgrowth: a case series report.

BACKGROUND

Patients with aplastic anemia are at increased risk of bleeding, which often limits conventional periodontal treatment. Although drug-induced gingival overgrowth is well-documented, its management in this high-risk population has not been thoroughly studied.

CASE PRESENTATION: We respectively reviewed the cases of seven aplastic anemia patients (4 males, 3 females; aged 33-57) with cyclosporine-associated drug-induced gingival overgrowth who were treated with initial periodontal therapy (IPT) under hematologist supervision from May 2018 to October 2024. Within 1-6 months follow-up visit, 6 of 7 patients achieved complete resolution of gingival overgrowth. One patient with severe overgrowth and concurrent felodipine use required 15 months for full resolution. Two cases of postoperative bleeding were controlled by removing chronic inflammatory tissue. One patient experienced recurrence after discontinuing follow-up for 2 years. No infections occurred during treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

IPT can safely and effectively treat severe drug-induced gingival overgrowth in patients with aplastic anemia. A maintenance therapy frequency of no less than once every three months is crucial to prevent recurrence in these patients.