What does this research mean for the field?

While both microneedling with topical ascorbic acid and the conventional scalpel technique significantly reduce gingival pigmentation and are well-tolerated, the scalpel technique provides greater and more sustained depigmentation at six months. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To compare clinical depigmentation, repigmentation rates, gingival thickness changes, and patient-reported outcomes between microneedling with topical ascorbic acid and the conventional scalpel technique.

September 3, 2026Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial ResearchOpen Access

Clinical and patient-reported outcomes of microneedling with ascorbic acid versus scalpel technique for gingival depigmentation: A randomized clinical trial

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Authors

ADAnika DawarIndian Army JPJaya PandeyAll India Institute of Medical Sciences VYVikender Singh YadavIndian Army

Discussion

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Implication

Randomized trial demonstrates greater pigment reduction with scalpel versus microneedling in gingival hyperpigmentation, indicating scalpel remains more effective despite mild discomfort.

Key Points

To compare clinical depigmentation, repigmentation rates, gingival thickness changes, and patient-reported outcomes between microneedling with topical ascorbic acid and the conventional scalpel technique.
Randomized clinical trial (trial registration CTRI/2024/05/066602) allocating 26 participants (1:1) with maxillary physiologic gingival hyperpigmentation to scalpel depigmentation or automated microneedling with ascorbic acid, with 23 completing the study.
Primary outcome was Dummett-Gupta Oral Pigmentation Index (DOPI) change at 1 month; secondary outcomes included Gingival Pigmentation Index, Pigmented Surface Area, Lightness, Gingival Melanin Meter Score (GMMS), gingival thickness, and patient-reported outcomes tracked through 6 months.
The scalpel group achieved significantly greater reductions in DOPI, Gingival Pigmentation Index, Pigmented Surface Area, and GMMS, alongside higher Lightness at 1 month (P < 0.05), with significantly lower DOPI scores persisting at 6 months.
Repigmentation occurred in both treatment groups, with DOPI and GMMS remaining significantly lower in the scalpel group at 3 months, while microneedling with ascorbic acid showed incomplete depigmentation at certain sites.
Scalpel treatment caused modestly higher pain and itching, reaching statistical significance for discomfort on day 3, whereas gingival thickness increased significantly only in the microneedling group at 6 months.

Cite This Study

Dawar et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a993612636c6408cfa7ee83 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobcr.2026.101530

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Implication

Randomized trial demonstrates greater pigment reduction with scalpel versus microneedling in gingival hyperpigmentation, indicating scalpel remains more effective despite mild discomfort.

Clinical and patient-reported outcomes of microneedling with ascorbic acid versus scalpel technique for gingival depigmentation: A randomized clinical trial

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Clinical and patient-reported outcomes of microneedling with ascorbic acid versus scalpel technique for gingival depigmentation: A randomized clinical trial

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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