**4.10 Idiopathic enlargement**

It usually requires surgical correction. Phase I therapy is undertaken to remove any source of irritants. Inflammatory component if present should be controlled. Functional and esthetic correction using a surgical therapy is undertaken depending on presence or absence of loss of attachment.

According to several authors, the best time is when all of the permanent dentition has erupted, because the risk of recurrence is higher before it [36]. Emerson demonstrated that the degree of enlargement did not appear to be related to the oral hygiene or to the amount of calculus present and that a correct physiologic contour of the marginal gingiva is more important to prevent recurrence [37] (**Table 1**).

**Table 1.** *Treatment plan for gingival enlargement [44].*
