How Painful is a Gingivectomy?
A gingivectomy is a simple oral surgery procedure removing excessive gum tissue, or gingiva. A gingivectomy is a procedure often used by your dentist to manage gum disease. Gingivectomy is a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment used to correct a gummy smile, which is when extra gum tissue makes your teeth seem smaller when smiling.
The Gingivectomy Procedure
The following are the common steps during a gingivectomy procedure:
- Anesthesia- Before your dentist begins, they administer a local anesthetic to numb the immediate area. If you request, an additional sedation can be used to help you relax.
- Removing any excess gum tissue- Your dentist removes extra or overgrown gum tissue, either with a scalpel or dental laser.
- Reshaping of your gums- Your dentist will then restructure and contour your gums after removing the excess tissue. This now creates the proper proportional balance between teeth and gums.
- Reshaping of bones- Your dentist might need to modify an underlying bone in given areas. They could need to make minor incisions along your gum line to achieve this.
- Sutures- If necessary, your dentist uses stitches to close any incisions and control bleeding. This step is avoided if you have laser gingivectomy.
Gingivectomy surgery most often takes between 30 minutes to an hour to perform. It might take longer if you need a gingivectomy on a number of teeth.
The Gingivectomy Recovery
Post-operative care is an important part of your healing process following your gingivectomy. Based on your needs and the complexity of your procedure, your dentist will suggest precise post-op recommendations. The following common post-operative care instructions could be applicable:
- Bleeding or weeping around the surgery site- To reduce bleeding, your dentist will give you gauze pads to bite down on. It is important to change the gauze pads frequently, as instructed.
- Pain control- You could feel some soreness following your procedure. To manage any discomfort, your dentist might prescribe pain relievers or just recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. Any discomfort is more than manageable.
- Oral health- Your oral hygiene is essential for good recovery. You must avoid brushing or flossing the surgical area for a couple of days. Your dentist will ask you to gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
- Diet- For a few days, you must avoid hard foods and consume only soft foods like soup, mashed potatoes, or yogurt. It is important to avoid any hot, spicy, or acidic meals because they will irritate the surgical site.
- Vigorous Activity- You must avoid robust activities or extreme exercise for the first 48 hours after your surgery. For several days, your dentist could also advise you to avoid activities which require bending over or carrying heavy objects.
- Return appointments- Keep all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process and resolve any pending issues. Following the recovery recommendations to assist with normal healing and reducing any risk of problems.
Your gingivectomy recovery time will depend on both the extent of your surgery and your general health. It is essential to carefully follow any post-operative care instructions, which include pain management efforts, oral hygiene advice, and your food restrictions. You will participate in achieving a smooth gingivectomy recovery by taking conscientious care of your dental health and following the instructions.