THE DISTRIBUTION OF GINGIVAL OVERGROWTH IN ORGAN TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

The distribution of gingival overgrowth was investigated in a cohort o f organ transplant patients, who were medicated with cyclosporin or th e combination of cyclosporin and a calcium channel blocking drug. Ging ival overgrowth scores were significantly higher at buccal sites than lingual-palatally (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference betw een upper and lower overgrowth Cores (p=0.88). The most severe overgro wth was seen in the canine region. Overgrowth between the central 0inc isors was significantly less than in the canine region (p greater than or equal to 0.044) and was similar to that in the molar and premolar region. Although raised overgrowth scores were associated with increas ed levels of plaque and gingival inflammation, the distribution could not be explained by this observation.