What is a Gingivectomy?
Gingivectomy is a quick and simple oral surgery to remove excessive or any overgrown gum tissue, or gingiva. Your dentist can often use gingivectomy to treat the various stages of periodontal disease, or gum disease. Gingivectomy is a quite popular and common cosmetic dentistry procedure used also to correct a gummy smile, which is when too much visible gum tissue makes your teeth appear as they are short or boxy.
Are You a Candidate for a Gingivectomy?
A gingivectomy procedure will be beneficial for you if you have:
- Either gingivitis or periodontitis.
- A gummy smile which makes your teeth and gums look out of balance proportionally.
- Periodontal pockets, sagging gaps, or areas where the gums have pulled away from your teeth.
- Dental braces or other orthodontic appliances.
- A tooth malposition when the position of your tooth results in excess gum tissue.
Certain medications will create excessive gum tissue. Two usual examples include amlodipine for high blood pressure or cyclosporine prescribed as an immunosuppressant. If you develop swollen, puffy gums after starting a medication, tell your dentist. They may be able to switch medications or change your dosage.
The Benefits of a Gingivectomy
Gingivectomy offers an assortment of benefits:
- It will remove excessive or overgrown gum tissue.
- It can improve a gummy smile.
- It impedes and reduces harmful oral bacteria.
- Decreases periodontal pockets or sagging gaps around your teeth.
- It makes your brushing and flossing efforts more effective because you can reach problems areas.
- Help you continue to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Types of Gingivectomy
There are two primary types of gingivectomy:
- Traditional gingivectomy- Your dentist will use a small scalpel to remove the excess gum tissue. Sometimes they might need to also remove a small amount of underlying bone. They may need to add stitches to close any incisions.
- Laser gingivectomy- Your dentist will use a handheld dental laser to remove the excess gum tissue. Since dental lasers also cauterize, or seal the gum tissue, you will not need any sutures.
The Gingivectomy Procedure
Here are the usual steps you will experience during your gingivectomy:
- Anesthesia- Before beginning, your dentist administers a local anesthesia to numb the immediate area of your gums. If agreed upon, a sedative can be added to help you relax.
- Removal of excess gum tissue- Using a scalpel or dental laser, your dentist removes the excess or overgrown gum tissue.
- Gum reshaping- After your dentist has removed the excess gum tissue, they reshape and contour your gums. This now ensures that your gums are in proportionate balance with your teeth.
- Bone reshaping- Your dentist might need to reshape some underlying bone. To do this, they will make a small incision along your gum line.
- Sutures- Your dentist uses stitches to close the incisions and stop the bleeding. If you are having a laser gingivectomy, they will forego any sutures.
- Dressing- Your dentist may place a soft putty over the surgical area to protect it. This dressing usually falls out on its own. If not, your dentist will simply remove it at your follow-up appointment.
You most likely will have some discomfort following your gingivectomy. You can usually manage any discomfort and other side effects with an over-the-counter pain reliever.