Treatment of a Gingival Injury From a Cosmetic Laser Burn: A Case Report.

Gingival depigmentation is a periodontal plastic surgery procedure for the removal of pigmented gingiva. A gingival depigmentation procedure can be accomplished with the use of a laser; however, as described in this case report, laser burns can be associated with such a procedure, and if one occurs it must be subsequently managed. In this case, the patient presented with a large elliptical ulceration at the right maxillary premolar region. The underlying alveolar bone was exposed and the surrounding gingival margins were inflamed. After debridement of the area and removal of sequestrated bone, a bone graft and subepithelial connective tissue graft were placed using a microsurgery technique to correct the defect. This case report is intended to raise awareness regarding the potential complications of laser gingival depigmentation and present a possible treatment approach for such complications.