Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Orthodontic Patients With Fixed Appliances Treated for Gingival Hyperplasia Using Surgical Scalpel and Diode Laser: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Gingival enlargement is a frequent periodontal manifestation in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment, primarily resulting from increased plaque retention and subsequent chronic inflammation. This condition can compromise esthetics, interfere with effective oral hygiene, and lead to periodontal complications if left untreated. Gingivectomy is the treatment of choice for removing excess gingival tissue and reestablishing physiological gingival contours. Conventional scalpel gingivectomy has been widely used; however, the advent of laser technology, particularly diode lasers, has provided an alternative surgical approach with potential clinical advantages, including better hemostasis, reduced intraoperative discomfort, faster wound healing, and less postoperative pain.

This study is designed as a randomized split-mouth clinical trial to compare the clinical and microbiological outcomes of gingivectomy performed using a scalpel versus a diode laser in orthodontic patients with gingival enlargement. Eligible participants will be recruited from the Orthodontics Department of the Ho Chi Minh City National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology. Each patient will undergo gingivectomy on two contralateral quadrants: one quadrant treated with conventional scalpel surgery (control side) and the other with diode laser surgery (test side). The allocation of quadrants will be randomized.

Clinical parameters including Plaque Index (PlI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Gingival Margin Position (GMP), and Bleeding on Probing (BoP) will be recorded at baseline and at multiple postoperative intervals. Subgingival plaque samples will be collected for microbiological analysis using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to evaluate the presence and levels of periodontopathogenic bacteria. Patient-reported outcomes such as postoperative pain will also be assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS).

All surgical procedures will be performed by the same calibrated operator to minimize variability. Standardized oral hygiene instructions will be provided to all participants throughout the study period. The collected data will be analyzed to determine differences in clinical healing, microbial changes, and patient comfort between the two treatment modalities. The findings are expected to provide evidence-based insights into the advantages and limitations of diode laser gingivectomy compared with the traditional scalpel technique in orthodontic patients.