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

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical phenytoin on creeping attachment. METHODS: In this pilot quasi-experimental study, 8 patients referring to Kerman School of Dentistry, Kerman, Iran with Miller class I or II gingival recessions were selected using convenient non-random sampling if they needed root coverage and met the study's inclusion criteria. The patients applied phenytoin mucoadhesive paste 1% on the surface of the deepithelialized gingiva of the tooth with gingival recession, twice a day for two months. Data was analyzed with paired 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 it increased to 3.1 mm. The mean baseline height and width of 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 the aforementioned parameters before and after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that topical application of phenytoin mucoadhesive paste can not initiate and promote creeping attachment.