Background: Gingival hyperpigmentation is a common esthetic condition that, although benign, may adversely affect patient self-confidence and smile attractiveness. Laser-assisted gingival depigmentation is widely used due to its precision, minimal invasiveness, and favorable healing profile. Nevertheless, optimization of postoperative wound healing and pain control remains a clinical priority. Prostaglandin E2 in the post-operative inflammatory response as it is closely related to postoperative pain perception, vasodilation, and consequent tissue inflammation. Argan oil is a natural bioactive substance rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and unsaturated fatty acids, and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. These characteristics suggest a potential role for argan oil as a postoperative adjunct following periodontal laser procedures.

Materials and Methods: This randomized, parallel-group, single-blind controlled clinical trial evaluated the effect of topical argan oil compared with placebo following laser gingival depigmentation. Forty patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups (n = 20 each). All patients underwent standardized laser depigmentation procedures. Postoperatively, the test group received topical argan oil, while the control group received a placebo formulation. Clinical outcomes included wound healing assessment, pain evaluation at predetermined follow-up intervals, and levels of PGE2 in the gingival crevicular fluid measured by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed to compare outcomes between groups. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Patients treated with topical argan oil demonstrated statistically significantly better wound-healing scores and lower postoperative pain levels compared with the placebo group at the assessed time points. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were also significantly lower in the argan oil group, indicating improved patient comfort during the postoperative healing phase. PGE2 levels in gingival crevicular fluid decreased significantly in patients treated with topical argan oil as compared with the placebo group at all evaluation periods, with a significantly greater reduction in the argan oil group at 1 and 2 weeks.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, topical application of argan oil was associated with improved postoperative wound healing, reduced pain, and lowered inflammatory response as reflected by PGE2 levels following laser gingival depigmentation when compared with placebo. These findings suggest that argan oil may represent a promising natural adjunct in postoperative periodontal care. Further large-scale, well-designed randomized clinical trials are recommended to confirm these results and establish standardized clinical application protocols.

Trial registration: The trial was approved by the Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University Ethics Committee (Approval No. 38-10-25)- Clinical trial registration number: NCT073557883