Hereditary gingival fibromatosis

Modified gingivoplasty for hereditary gingival fibromatosis: two case reports

Background

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is characterized by sub-epithelial fibromatosis of keratinized gingiva resulting in a fibrotic enlargement of keratinized gingiva. The treatment choice is gingivectomy, which can be performed with an internal or external bevel incision conventionally. However, both techniques can hardly resume the natural status of gingiva, and have a certain recurrence rate, especially in the cases which have limited width of attached gingiva.

Case description

Two cases of HGF with the chief complaint of difficulty in mastication, pronunciation, and poor esthetics were presented. After the initial periodontal therapy, a novel gingivoplasty modified with a crevicular incision was applied. A full thickness flap above the mucogingival junction and a split flap below the junction were raised. Then, fibrotic connective tissue was completely eliminated and keratinized gingival epithelium was preserved. The fibrotic alveolar bone was shaped by handpiece and bur. Finally, the flap was apically repositioned and sutured. Twelve months after surgery, the gingiva recovered with normal color, contour and consistency.

Conclusions

Compared to traditional gingivectomy, modified gingivoplasty which focuses on eliminating pathological fibrotic connective tissue can completely resume the natural appearance of gingiva and demonstrate no tendency of recurrence.

Clinics and genetic background of hereditary gingival fibromatosis

BACKGROUND

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare condition characterized by slowly progressive overgrowth of the gingiva. The severity of overgrowth may differ from mild causing phonetic and masticatory issues, to severe resulting in diastemas or malposition of teeth. Both, autosomal-dominant and autosomal-recessive forms of HGF are described. The aim of this review is a clinical overview, as well as a summary and discussion of the involvement of candidate chromosomal regions, pathogenic variants of genes, and candidate genes in the pathogenesis of HGF. The loci related to non-syndromic HGF have been identified on chromosome 2 (GINGF, GINGF3), chromosome 5 (GINGF2), chromosome 11 (GINGF4), and 4 (GINGF5). Of these loci, pathogenic variants of the SOS-1 and REST genes inducing HGF have been identified in the GINGF and the GINGF5, respectively. Furthermore, among the top 10 clusters of genes ranked by enrichment score, ATP binding, and fibronectin encoding genes were proposed as related to HGF.

CONCLUSION

The analysis of clinical reports as well as translational genetic studies published since the late'90s indicate the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of non-syndromic HGF and point out the importance of genetic studies and bioinformatics of more numerous unrelated families to identify novel pathogenic variants potentially inducing HGF. This strategy will help to unravel the molecular  mechanisms as well as uncover specific targets for novel and less invasive therapies of this rare, orphan condition.

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis in children: a systematic review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is an uncommon, inherited condition with slow and progressive fibrous hyperplasia of the gingiva. Due to its association with mastication, speech, and occlusion problems, early diagnosis is important. We sought to summarize the available data regarding the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of children with HGF (< 18 years).

METHODS

A systematic literature review of the MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases was conducted with respect to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (end-of-search date: March 1, 2019).

RESULTS

A total of 99 articles reporting on 146 patients were included. The mean age was 10.82 ± 3.93 years, and generalized gingival enlargement was seen in 97.16% (95% CI 92.69 to 99.14). Jaw, gingival, and teeth abnormalities; poor oral hygiene; eating; or speech difficulties were typical HGF-induced, while 60.90% had extraoral manifestations (95% CI 52.41 to 68.78). The disease was most commonly inherited in an autosomal dominant manner (88.41%, 95% CI 78.5 to 94.26), and about one-third of the patients had syndromic HGF (33.85%, 95% CI 23.50 to 46.00). Gingivectomy was performed in the majority of cases (91.15%, 95% CI 84.31 to 95.29), and recurrence was seen in 33.85% (95% CI 23.50 to 46.00).

CONCLUSION

HGF should be suspected in children with nodularity and gingival fibrosis, teeth abnormalities, or jaw distortion. Family history can help to establish the diagnosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

More cases should focus on longer-term follow-up after gingivectomy as disease recurrence is not uncommon.

Syndromes with gingival fibromatosis: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of systematic review was to describe the phenotypes and molecular profiles of syndromes with gingival fibromatosis (GF).

METHODS

A comprehensive search of PubMed, LILACS, Livivo, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted using key terms relevant to the research questions and supplemented by a gray literature search. The Methodological Quality and Synthesis of Case Series and Case Reports in association with the Case Series and Prevalence Studies from the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used for the risk of bias. We followed the PRISMA checklist guidelines.

RESULTS

Eighty-four studies reporting GF as an oral manifestation of a syndrome were identified in this review. Enamel renal syndrome was the most frequently reported syndrome with GF, represented by 54 individuals in 19 studies, followed by Zimmermann-Laband syndrome with 24 individuals in 15 studies and Costello syndrome, which was presented in a case series study with 41 individuals. Among reported cases, other clinical manifestations such as hypertrichosis, ectopic gingival calcification, and cherubism were described.

CONCLUSIONS

The results emphasize the need of systematic oro-dental-facial phenotyping for future descriptions as well as further molecular analysis in order to better understand the occurrence of syndromic GF.

Generalized hereditary gingival fibromatosis in a child: clinical, histopathological and therapeutic aspects

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare genetic condition characterized by slow and progressive gingival enlargement. The gingival overgrowth often delays teeth eruption and may cause serious functional and aesthetic problems. We reported a case of a 10-year-old female child presenting a generalized gingival enlargement covering almost all the maxillary and mandibular teeth and resulted in problems for swallowing, speaking, and poor aesthetics. An incisional biopsy was performed and revealed a hypocellular and hypovascular dense collagenous tissue covered by squamous epithelium exhibiting acanthosis and elongated rete ridges. The diagnosis was HGF. The treatment instituted was an association of gingivectomy with a rigorous program of oral hygiene and follow-up. Herein, we describe a rare non-syndromic case of generalized HGF, including clinical and microscopical features, as well as highlighting the importance of correct diagnosis of this genetic condition.

Systemic disease or periodontal disease? Distinguishing causes of gingival inflammation: a guide for dental practitioners. Part 1: immune-mediated, autoinflammatory, and hereditary lesions

Periodontitis and gingivitis remain two of the most common diseases that affect the oral cavity. As they are caused by plaque, effective oral hygiene, elimination of plaque-retentive factors and successful periodontal treatment will result in resolution of gingival and periodontal inflammation. Certain systemic diseases can have a clinical appearance similar to periodontal diseases or exacerbate existing periodontitis/gingivitis and vice versa. This paper aims to provide the dental practitioner with an understanding of the manifestations of systemic diseases to the periodontium and highlights elements in the clinical assessment, which will aid in establishing a correct diagnosis. Additional anamnestic and clinical clues are important for distinguishing between plaque-induced and non-plaque-induced lesions. The first part of this compendium covers immune-mediated and hereditary conditions as causes of gingival lesions, which can resemble those caused by dental plaque. The different conditions are presented concisely and exemplified by clinical photographs. Dental practitioners should be aware of the various manifestations of systemic diseases to the periodontium in order to offer appropriate diagnosis and treatment, which can reduce both patient morbidity and mortality.

Fibroblasts from recurrent fibrotic overgrowths reveal high rate of proliferation in vitro - findings from the study of hereditary and idiopathic gingival fibromatosis

PURPOSE

Investigate the content of fibrotic fibrils in gingival tissue and the proliferation of fibroblasts collected from recurrent and non-recurrent hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) and idiopathic gingival fibromatosis (IGF).

METHODS

Gingival biopsies were collected from HGF (n = 3) and IGF (n = 3) donors with recurrent and non-recurrent gingival overgrowths and from a control group (Ctrl, n = 3). Hematoxylin staining was performed to evaluate the histomorphology of gingival tissue. Heidenhain's AZAN trichrome staining served for visualization of fibrotic fibrils in gingiva. Quantitative analysis of the content of fibrotic fibrils in gingival tissue was performed using a polarized light microscope. Proliferation was evaluated at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h in fibroblast cultures using a cell proliferation ELISA assay based on 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU).

RESULTS

Numerous blood vessels and fibroblasts were observed in recurrent overgrowths, whereas moderate blood vessels and moderate to scanty fibroblasts were detected in non-recurrent overgrowths. Heidenhain's staining revealed numerous collagen fibers in both recurrent and non-recurrent overgrowths. Quantitative analysis in a polarizing microscope showed significant accumulation of fibrotic fibrils exclusively in the overgrowths with the recurrence. In all time-points, increased proliferation of cells from all recurrent overgrowths was observed, but not from overgrowths which do not reoccur.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed that recurrent gingival overgrowths consist of highly fibrotic and dense connective tissue with numerous blood vessels and abundant fibroblasts. We also demonstrated that unlike fibroblasts derived from overgrowths, which did not present recurrence, fibroblasts derived from highly fibrotic and recurrent overgrowths maintain high rate of proliferation in vitro.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in familial gingival fibromatosis-a rare case report

Familial gingival fibromatosis is a rare hereditary condition due to chromosomal abnormality which can occur as an isolated disease or as part of a syndrome and has an incidence of 1:350 000. This condition leads to esthetic, functional, psychological and masticatory disturbance of the oral cavity. Here, we present a case of 21-year-old female with severe enlargement of gums in maxilla and mandible. Deciduous teeth were erupted at normal age but the permanent teeth in the oral cavity were not erupted. Her grandmother, father and younger sister were also affected with the same condition. Incisional biopsy from the chronic ulcerated gingiva showed squamous cell carcinoma. Patient was referred to other cancer institution, where metastases to lung, bone and lymph node was detected on CT scan. The diagnosis was made based on clinical examination, family history and histopathological examination.

Unusual presentation of familial gingival fibromatosis among male siblings

Gingival enlargement refers to any increase in the size of normal gingiva. The gingiva may be enlarged in response to various interactions between the host and the environment. It can be of various types including inflammatory, drug induced, associated with systemic disease, neoplastic, false, and idiopathic. Idiopathic gingival enlargement is a rare condition of undetermined etiology. The enlargement can be localized or generalized to entire dentition and is usually associated with the emergence of the teeth into the oral cavity and may regress after extraction. Treatment aims to solve patient's psychological, esthetic, and masticatory needs. This is a case series of four siblings (3 boys and 1 girl) who reported to the Department of Periodontology with a chief complaint of swollen gums and difficulty in eating. After careful clinical examination and histopathological evaluation, a diagnosis of familial gingival fibromatosis was made. Treatment plan included gingivectomy and gingivoplasty and follow-ups.

Complete oral rehabilitation of a patient with hereditary gingival fibromatosis: a clinical report

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis is a rare disease that has several debilitating oral and psychological manifestations, especially with young children and adolescents. The complexity of the treatment as well as the timing relative to the growth and maturation of the patient present a challenge. Few treatment options have been reported in the literature. This clinical report presents a multidisciplinary approach to treating a young patient with hereditary gingival fibromatosis by using implant-supported prostheses. The treatment steps and its outcome are discussed.

Unusual gingival enlargement: a rare case report

This is an atypical case report of a 20-year-old male patient who suffered from unusual unilateral, gingival enlargement together with rapidly progressive alveolar bone loss. The enlarged gingiva completely covered his left posterior teeth in both arches. The patient was diagnosed with gingival fibromatosis and aggressive periodontitis based on the clinical, histological, and radiographic findings. The gingival enlargement was treated by conventional gingivectomy under local anaesthesia. The postoperative result was uneventful.