What indicates the best management of a patient showing symptoms of gingival hyperplasia?

The best management of a patient showing symptoms of gingival hyperplasia is often medication adjustment. Gingival hyperplasia can be associated with certain medications, particularly anticonvulsants like phenytoin, calcium channel blockers, and immunosuppressants. When such a condition is diagnosed, the first step is to evaluate the patient’s current medications. Adjusting or switching medications may lead to a resolution or significant reduction of the hyperplastic tissue.

Increased oral hygiene is beneficial in managing gingival health but may not address the underlying cause if the hyperplasia is medication-related. Although maintaining good oral hygiene can support overall gum health, it does not resolve the hyperplasia that may be directly linked to pharmacological agents.

Immediate surgical intervention may be considered in cases where hyperplasia is severe and affects function or aesthetics. However, this is typically not the first line of management and is usually reserved for cases with significant impact after other management strategies have been considered.

Continued monitoring is also an important aspect of managing gingival hyperplasia, particularly to observe potential responses to any treatment initiated. However, without addressing the primary cause through medication adjustment, ongoing monitoring alone may not effectively resolve the issue.

Thus, focusing on medication adjustment addresses the root cause of the symptoms,