Nifedipine-Induced Gingival Enlargement - A Systematic Treatment Approach: A Case Report

Gingival enlargement is one of the adverse drug reactions associated with the administration of several drugs. Progression of gingival enlargement affects the normal oral hygiene practice and may interfere with mastication, speech, etc. It gradually becomes a source of pain and disfigurement. There is a wide variation in the presentation of clinical and histological features of such gingival enlargements. Nifedipine is one such drug of the family of calcium channel blockers that has the potential to cause gingival overgrowth in patients taking the same, although in a limited number of cases. The management of such cases requires a multi-pronged approach including thorough scaling and root planning, drug substitution, and surgical approach. This case report highlights the management of one such case of a patient taking nifedipine for the management of hypertension.