The Adjunctive Role of Vitamin C on Pigment Recurrence (Randomized Clinical and Histological Trial)

Inclusion Criteria: Both genders aged from 18-40. Systemically free patients from any disease as evidenced by the health questionnaire, using modified Cornell medical index and classified as ASA class I. Patients who were diagnosed to have physiological gingival melanin pigmentation on the maxillary or mandibular keratinized gingiva with Dummett oral pigmentation score 2 or more. Patients with thick gingival phenotype ≥ 1.5 mm. Exclusion criteria: Pregnant or lactating females Smokers (water pipe, cigar or cigarette smoking). Patients taking or have taken any drug that may cause gingival depigmentation as chloroquine, minocycline, zidovudine, chlorpromazine, ketoconazole and bleomycin . Any cause for supplemental intake of vitamin C. Reported allergy to ascorbic acid or to any of its derivatives as reported in health questionnaire . Clinically diagnosed periodontitis regarding the following criteria probing depth \>3mm, clinical attachment loss ≥ 1mm and bleeding on probing \> 10% . Patients with poor oral hygiene, incompliant to treatment and persistence gingival inflammation after phase I periodontal therapy.