Gingival Enlargement: A Review Article

Leukocytes are the major cellular essentials of inflammatory and immune reactions of the individual. Leukocyte alterations are the consequence of a disproportion between the formation of leukocytes in the bone marrow and its exclusion by the mononuclear phagocytic system. There is also a wide range of clinical manifestations that can result from them: from very insignificant symptoms to serious conditions. Acute leukemias are a group of neoplastic diseases that are characterized by proliferation of immature white cells in the bone marrow and/or blood and are often associated with severe leukopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia. In some cases oral manifestations will be the first signs and it will be the dentist’s responsibility to recognize the underlying disorder leading to the diagnosis of the patient’s condition. Oral bleeding, gingival enlargement, ulceration and infection in patients with leukemia have been described. Leukemic infiltrates in the gingiva are commonly seen in acute leukemia. The aim of this article is to review the literature concerning the oral manifestations of patients.