January 2023

Introduction: Necrotizing periodontal diseases (NPD) are acute lesions with a rapid onset that may cause considerable periodontal tissue destruction. Among these conditions, necrotizing gingivitis (NG) is caused by microorganisms from the oral biofilm, and is associated with predisposing factors such as psychological stress, HIV/AIDS, alcohol and tobacco consumption, malnutrition, inadequate oral hygiene, and other systemic conditions that may compromise the host immune response. Objective: The aim of this narrative literature review was to describe the available evidence on the diagnosis and treatment of NG, and present a successfully treated case of NG in a 22-year-old woman. Case report: The patient was smoker, had poor oral hygiene and was experiencing psychological stress. Her complaints were abundant gingival bleeding and halitosis during the past two weeks preceding the first appointment. Clinical findings included considerable biofilm accumulation, generalized gingival bleeding, pseudomembrane and necrotic tissue. Treatment consisted of supragingival scaling, professional prophylaxis, 0.12% chlorhexidine rinsing for two weeks, prescription of analgesics and oral hygiene instructions. Results: The patient’s response to initial therapy was satisfactory. Successful clinical outcomes were observed at seven days after initial therapy, and the patient has remained stable without signs of disease recurrence for six months. Conclusion: Periodontal health and function were successfully reestablished.