Assessment of Clinical Outcomes and Patient Response to Gingival Depigmentation by Scalpel Surgical Stripping and Diode Laser: A Randomized Split

Oral melanin pigmentation is a ubiquitous presentation in the oral cavity. It could be a cause of psychological distress to many subjects due to aesthetic reasons. This study attempts to compare the laser and scalpel depigmentation techniques. It also includes a comparison related to the Visual Analog Scale, patient comfort, healing response and time taken for the procedure and recurrence of pigmentation. A total of 10 patients were included in the study. A split-mouth approach comparing the scalpel technique with that of the diode laser technique was planned. The results of the present study revealed that both laser and scalpel techniques are equally effective for depigmentation, yielding aesthetic results