Licorice Extract Gel Versus Diode Laser for Physiologic Gingival Pigmentation

Alexandria University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Gingival Hyperpigmentation

Treatments: Device: Diode Laser 445 nm; Drug: Licorice Extract Gel

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07325825

RaniaEissa-Dent-1999

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of topical licorice extract gel and diode laser (445 nm) in the treatment of physiologic gingival pigmentation.

Twenty-four adult patients presenting with physiologic melanin pigmentation in the anterior esthetic zone of the maxillary or mandibular gingiva will be randomly allocated into two equal groups. One group will be treated with diode laser therapy, while the other group will receive topical licorice extract gel.

Clinical outcomes will be assessed using standardized gingival pigmentation indices and patient satisfaction questionnaires over a follow-up period of 36 weeks.

Full description

This randomized controlled clinical trial will be conducted at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, Oral Diagnosis and Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Egypt.

Eligible participants aged 18-50 years with physiologic gingival pigmentation will be randomly assigned into two groups. Group A will receive gingival depigmentation using a 445 nm diode laser, while Group B will receive topical licorice extract gel applied three times daily.

The intensity and distribution of gingival pigmentation will be evaluated using the Dummett-Gupta Oral Pigmentation Index (DOPI) and Gingival Pigmentation Index (GPI). Patient satisfaction will also be assessed. Clinical evaluations will be performed at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 36 weeks after treatment.

Enrollment: 26 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults (18 to 50 years old) of either sex with physiologic melanin pigmentation in the anterior esthetic zone of the maxillary or mandibular gingiva.
• Systemically healthy individuals

Exclusion criteria

• Smokers
• Pregnant or lactating females
• Patients taking drugs associated with gingival pigmentation
• Patients with periodontal disease
• History of gingival depigmentation
• Known hypersensitivity to licorice extract
• Poor oral hygiene
• Presence of systemic diseases

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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26 participants in 2 patient groups

Diode Laser Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants receive gingival depigmentation using a 445 nm diode laser.

Treatment:

Device: Diode Laser 445 nm

Licorice Extract Gel Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants apply topical licorice extract gel to pigmented gingival areas three times daily.

Treatment:

Drug: Licorice Extract Gel