Those who take drugs that trigger gingival overgrowth are at particular risk of developing the condition if they have poor dental hygiene and a genetic predisposition to gingivitis, or gum inflammation, Dr. Herman said. Symptoms include discomfort, unsightly appearance and mouth odor. Malnutrition and infection also can result. Left untreated, the condition gets progressively worse because bacteria and plaque accumulate. Currently, the only treatment is surgical removal of the excess tissue.
Recurrence is common.
Herman, Konzelman and their colleagues will use the grant money to test their theory that vigilant oral hygiene will prevent or lessen the severity of the condition. They will recruit 50 MCG kidney transplant patients for the two-year study. All will receive periodic dental examinations and oral hygiene instruction from Ana Thompson, a dental hygienist and the project coordinator. The researchers will closely monitor the all study participants, using several instruments, including photographs, dental casts and ultrasound, to measure gingival overgrowth. They will compare the two groups to determine whether an intensive oral hygiene program prevents or minimizes the incidence of gingival overgrowth compared to routine dental care.