Understanding Dilantin Hyperplasia

Patients with epilepsy are often given prescriptions of Dilantin (generic name, phenytoin) to control seizures. A side effect of Dilantin is enlargement of the gums. This condition is referred to as Dilantin Hyperplasia.

The reason that the gums enlarge when a patient is on Dilantin appears to be that they are made more sensitive to irritants. If the teeth are kept scrupulously clean, the

a photograph of severe Dilantin Hyperplasia

Dilantin Hyperplasia seems to be kept more under control.

Other medication that is given to epileptics doesn't seem to cause this reaction in the gums.

The prefix "hyper" means "over" or "excess." "Plasia" means growth by the multiplication of cells.

There are also other medications that can contribute to this gingival hyperplasia. When this happens, even though the medication isn't Dilantin, the term Dilantin Hyperplasia is still used.