Vitamin C to lighten dark gum pigmentation

Clinical and Histological Evaluation of Topical Vitamin C Application Using Three Modalities in Gingival Depigmentation

This trial will try three ways of applying vitamin C—topical gel, microneedling, and mesotherapy—to see if they reduce dark gum pigmentation in healthy adults aged 20 to 35.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 20 Years to 40 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Al-Azhar University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Cairo, Cario Governorate)
• Trial ID: NCT07513727 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The trial compares three application methods of vitamin C—topical gel (control), microneedling-assisted application, and mesotherapy injections—applied to physiologic gingival melanin pigmentation in the maxillary and mandibular keratinized gingiva. Outcomes include clinical color measurement using CIELAB analysis via DOPI, clinical indices and photography, and histopathologic examination with Fontana-Masson staining. Eligible participants are systemically healthy adults aged 20–35 who are concerned about the esthetics of physiologic gingival pigmentation and have not had prior depigmentation treatment. Procedures and follow-up visits are conducted at the dental faculty to document pigment changes and tissue response.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 20–35 with physiologic gingival melanin pigmentation of the upper and lower keratinized gingiva, good oral hygiene, no systemic disease, and not pregnant or lactating are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with periodontitis or poor oral hygiene, active gingival lesions, prior depigmentation treatment, allergy to vitamin C, systemic disease, or who are pregnant or lactating are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a minimally invasive, low-cost option to reduce gum pigmentation and improve smile esthetics.

How similar studies have performed: There are limited small reports suggesting topical vitamin C and microneedling can reduce mucocutaneous pigmentation, but robust clinical evidence specifically for gingival depigmentation is sparse.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

\- 1- Both genders aged from 20-35 years. 2- Patients clinically diagnosed with physiologic gingival melanin pigmentation in the maxillary and mandibular keratinized gingiva.

3- Patients complaining of compromised esthetics. 4- Patients should be systemically free any disease as verified by a medical history diagnostic sheet or via health questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria:

\- 1- Patient clinically diagnosed with periodontitis and / or manifest poor oral hygiene with high plaque and gingival indices 2- Pregnant or lactating females. 3- Patients with clinical diagnosed lesion in the area of interest primarily the gingivae encompassing the maxillary /mandibular anterior teeth e.g. pigmented lesion of intestinal polyposis syndrome, McCune-Albright syndrome and fibro-osseous lesions as florid osseous dysplasia.

4- Patient with previous treatment of gingival hyperpigmentation. 5- Patients with history of being allergic to the vitamin C. 6- Patients with any systemic disease ( e.g. Addison disease ) or drugs consumed that may cause clinical gingival hyperpigmentation 7- Patients who are active or previous smokers.

Where this trial is running

Cairo, Cario Governorate

• Al-Azhar University Faculty of Dentistry ( Girls ) — Cairo, Cario Governorate, Egypt (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: khawlah Q al-khalidi, BDS, MSc

Conditions Gingival Hyperpigmentation; Gingival Melanin Pigmentation