RT - Journal TY - JOUR A1 - Rao, Preeti T1 - Depigmentation of gingiva – A step by step procedure, with the use of Er:YAG laser – A case report YR - 2011/1/1 JF - Journal of Dental Lasers JO - J Dent Lasers SP - 29 OP - 30 VO - 5 IS - 1 UL - http://www.jdentlasers.org/article.asp?issn=2321-1385;year=2011;volume=5;issue=1;spage=29;epage=30;aulast=Rao;t=5 N2 - Depigmentation of gingiva with laser is also commonly called as laser gum bleaching and is an effective, safe and fast way to properly treat gum tissue discoloration. The technique targets and ablate the melanocytes, which are the cells that produce melanin and cause the depigmentation, therefore reducing the possibility of melanin production in the Gingival tissue. Melanin is elaborated by specific cells called melanocytes which reside in the basal cell layer and is transferred to the basal cell where it is stored in the form of melasnosomes. ER -