Effect of topical phenytoin on cr eeping attachment of human gingiva: A pilot study

BACKGROUND AND AIM:The aim ofthis study was to evaluate the effect oftopical phenytoin on creeping attachment.METHODS:In this pilot quasi-experimental study, 8 patients referring to Kerman School of Dentistry, Kerman, Iran withMiller class I or II gingival recessions were selected using convenient non-random sampling if they needed rootcoverage and met the study's inclusion criteria. The patients applied phenytoin mucoadhesive paste 1% on the surface ofthe deepithelialized gingiva of the tooth with gingival recession, twice a day for two months. Data was analyzed withpaired t-test using SPSS version 17.RESULTS:According to our findings, the width of keratinized gingiva at the baseline was 3 mm, and after 2 months itincreased to 3.1 mm. The mean baseline height and widthof gingival recession were 1.9 mm and 3 mm, respectively,and after 2 months they decreased to 1.8 mm and 2.9 mm accordingly. There was no significant difference in any of theaforementioned parameters before and after treatment (P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:The results of this study showed that topical application of phenytoin mucoadhesive paste can notinitiate and promote creeping attachment.