Spongiotic Gingival Hyperplasia Treated With an 808-nm High-Power Diode Laser: A Case Report and Literature Review.

OBJECTIVES

Spongiotic gingival hyperplasia (SGH) is an uncommon benign, non-plaque-induced epithelial proliferation for which optimal management remains undefined. We describe the case of SGH treated by ablative therapy with a high-power diode laser and summarize previously reported laser-treated cases from the literature.

METHODS

An 11-year-old boy presented with a bright-red, granular enlargement of the marginal and attached gingiva adjacent to the mandibular left canine and first premolar. Electronic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and LILACS to identify studies reporting laser management of SGH.

RESULTS

The lesion was irradiated using an indium-gallium-arsenide diode laser (808 nm, continuous-wave mode, 1.5 W, 748 J, 499 s). Postoperative evaluation revealed excellent hemostasis, preservation of gingival contour, and complete clinical healing without recurrence at 4 months. Five articles comprising eight cases were retrieved. Reported modalities included CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers and photodynamic therapy with a diode laser. All achieved favorable outcomes, with complete or near-complete remission and no recurrence during 5-24 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first documented case of SGH managed with high-power diode laser ablation, demonstrating both safety and favorable esthetic outcomes, thereby expanding current therapeutic perspectives for this condition.