Role of Calcium Channel Blockers in Inducing Gingival Enlargement - A Cross Sectional Study

Zameera A. Naik and Anjana Bagewadi

Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, KlE VK Institute of Dental Sciences, KLE University, Belgaum India.

ABSTRACT: Background Calcium channel blockers (CCB) are the widely prescribed drugs for the management of hypertension. Gingival enlargement (GE) due to calcium channel blockers (CCB) accounts for a prevalence rate of 14.7%-83%. Literature reveals that the most frequently encountered CCB causing GE is nifedipine being 83%, and the least common is amlodipine being 3.3%. Amlodipine prescription is increasing in the recent years, attributed to its high patient compliance and cost effectiveness. The study was conducted with an aim to determine the association between GE and the use of different Calcium channel blockers and with an objective to assess the status of gingiva in patients on CCB, as well as to assess the relationship between dosage and duration of intake of CCB on the status of GE. Material and Methods The present study included 30 hypertensive subjects on calcium channel blockers and 30 healthy controls who were not on any of the drugs causing gingival enlargement. Written consent was obtained and history recorded for all the study subjects, Oral hygiene was assessed by Green and Vermillion index, gingival condition by Loe and Sillness index and the gingival enlargement was recorded using the Ingles index. Results 20(66%) subjects out of 30 had gingival enlargement among whom 12(40%) subjects had Grade II GE and 5(16%) had Grade III GE. This when compared to controls was statistically significant with p value of < 0.001. Conclusion Slightest of the local factors trigger the gingival response to the drugs causing gingival enlargement. GE provides new niches for growth of microrganisms, resulting in tooth loss. Clinicians should and must pay attention to patients oral hygiene prior to prescription of CCB and stress on need of regular dental visits.

KEYWORDS: Gingival enlargement; calcium channel blockers; gingivitis; duration

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