Streptococcal gingivitis: A report of case with a description of a unique gingival prothesis

Acute streptococcal gingivitis is an acute inflammation of the oral mucosa. Specific bacterial infections of the gingiva may be due to neisseria gonorrhea, treponema pallidum, streptococci, and other organisms. Streptococcal infections are seen rarely. This case report describes a patient who presented with severe gingival inflammation and pain that was diagnosed as an acute streptococcal infection. Bacterial cultures were obtained from the lesion, and biopsies were obtained from the gingiva of lower incisors for histopathologic evaluation. The patient was successfully treated using conventional periodontal therapy (scaling, root planning, curettage) and antibacterial agents. The reconstructive phase for this patient consisted of the fabrication of a heat-cured acrylic gingival facade to mask the gingival recession. The treatment of acute gingivostomatitis is of importance because of the possibility of systemic secondary infections. When esthetics is important, a gingival prostheses can be considered. The differential diagnosis, etiology, and treatment of acute streptococcal gingivitis are discussed and the literature is reviewed in this report.