Q. My daughter's teeth are good, but since she has been taking a medication called Dilantin, her gums are growing over her teeth. Is there a way to remedy this problem?
Dilantin is a drug prescribed for seizure activity that works very well, but a side effect is that it causes the gums to grow (gingival hypplasia). It is not like gingivitis, where the gum tissue simply swells-it is actually thick tissue that can grow to cover the teeth. The amount of Dilantin prescribed is not a factor with the overgrowth.
Over the last 15 years we have worked with lasers to remove the tissue and uncover the teeth. There are some surgical advantages, for there is no bleeding, and the postoperative period is mild. Previously, surgical removal meant a three-day hospitalization because of bleeding and discomfort would prevent the child from eating. Now this procedure is done on an outpatient basis.
We did several studies on Dilantin years ago, and we are finishing a study with children who take cyclosporin, a drug for children who have transplants. We found that if immediately after the surgery we make a mouthguard for the children to wear at night, the pressure on the gums retards the regrowth of the gums during the day. Children who required surgery every year can now wait for five or six years.
If your child is taking Dilantin, talk to your dentist about a mouthguard. It can make a real difference. Also, good oral hygiene can contribute to less plaque and less overgrowth of the gums.