Vitamin C mesotherapy versus diode laser for the esthetic management of physiologic gingival hyperpigmentation: a randomized clinical trial

Physiologic gingival hyperpigmentation is a common esthetic concern that affects individuals of various ethnicities, and can have a significant impact on individual's self-confidence and overall quality of life. Thus, this study aimed to clinically assess the effectiveness of intra-mucosal injection of vitamin C versus 980 nm diode laser for the management of physiologic gingival hyperpigmentation. Twenty-six healthy non-smoker individuals with physiologic gingival hyperpigmentation were randomly assigned to two groups. Group I received intra-mucosal injection of vitamin C (L-Ascorbic acid 1000 mg/5 ml), and group II was managed using diode laser (980 nm, 1.5 W, continuous wave mode). Clinical evaluation of pigmentation intensity and distribution was performed preoperatively, and at 1, 2 and 3 months postoperatively using two different color assessment indices; Dummett-Gupta Oral Pigmentation Index (DOPI), and Gingival Pigmentation Index (GPI). Additionally, the study assessed pain intensity and patients' satisfaction. Pigmentation scores decreased significantly between pre-operative visit and different follow-up visits for both treatment modalities (p