Gingival Enlargement
An increase in the size of the gingival tissues, which may be inflammatory, drug-induced, hereditary, or associated with systemic conditions.
Full Definition
Gingival enlargement (formerly termed gingival hyperplasia or hypertrophy) is the preferred contemporary term for any condition resulting in increased gingival volume. Causes include chronic inflammation, medications (phenytoin, ciclosporin, calcium channel blockers), hereditary gingival fibromatosis, and systemic diseases such as leukaemia. The 2017 AAP/EFP classification formally adopted 'gingival enlargement' to replace the histologically presumptive terms 'hyperplasia' and 'hypertrophy'. Editors should flag the use of these older terms and suggest the current preferred terminology. Gingival enlargement can create pseudo-pockets by raising the gingival margin coronally without true attachment loss.
Usage
Usage note: The terms 'hyperplasia' and 'hypertrophy' are now discouraged in favour of 'gingival enlargement' as they imply histological diagnoses that require biopsy confirmation.
In Context
- "Drug-induced gingival enlargement was documented in the patient's medical history as a side effect of amlodipine therapy." — Medical history and periodontal diagnosis note
- "The editorial team replaced all instances of 'gingival hyperplasia' with 'gingival enlargement' in accordance with the 2017 AAP/EFP classification." — Manuscript revision log