Immunosuppressive agents are a must for any organ-transplant patient. However, these agents are always decreasing the immune reactions against the transplanted organ while in the same time compromising the immune system against any infection all over the body. One of the main side effects of such agents, drug-induced gingival enlargement as for Cyclosporine. Severity of such enlargement is commonly aggravated by superimposed inflammatory local factors. It affects mainly function & esthetics and, in some instances, may cause a mouth breathing habit. Accurate diagnosis and identifying all possible risk factors are mandatory and what is more important is to follow it up. Management always starts with gold standard of periodontal treatment to remove all local irritants followed by surgical one & sometimes gingivectomy is needed to improve oral hygiene. Systemic precautions in organ transplantation patient should be taken into consideration regarding identifying the exact state of immunity and dental precautions. Follow-up every 6 months is mandatory due to ongoing effect of
the immunosuppressive drug on the gingiva that is why oral hygiene measures motivation is a must to decrease its severity.
Objectives
1-The main importance of immunosuppressive agents and their adverse side effects on the oral cavity.
2-Drug-induced gingival enlargement : protocol of treatment.
3-Oral hygiene measures as a key factor in controlling the severity of gingival overgrowth.