What is a Gingivectomy?
Patients with a gummy smile have more gum tissue than is proportional to their teeth. Excessive gum tissue can also be a result of periodontal disease, some prescription medications, or genetics. A procedure called gingivectomy can be used to treat excessive gum tissue, regardless of the cause.
What is a gingivectomy?
A gingivectomy is a minor surgical procedure used to remove excessive or overgrown gum tissue. A traditional gingivectomy is performed using a scalpel whereas a laser gingivectomy utilizes a soft tissue laser.
How is a gingivectomy performed?
The procedure for a gingivectomy is the same regardless of the tool being used. The only difference is a gingivectomy using a scalpel may require sutures in addition to wound dressing. A soft tissue laser does not require sutures, only wound dressing, which is a soft putty and gauze that will fall off on its own after a couple of days. This dressing helps protect the area as the healing process begins.
To begin, the doctor will administer a local anesthetic via injection to the area being treated. The excess gum tissue is removed and the gum line reshaped to ensure that the remaining tissue is proportionate to the teeth.
In some cases, the underlying bone structure needs to be reshaped as well, in which case a small incision is made and the bone is shaped and smoothed. This is typically only necessary in the case of periodontal disease.
The whole procedure takes between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the amount of tissue being removed. For patients that have a severe case to be treated, two appointments may be necessary. A gingivectomy is an outpatient procedure and you are able to go home immediately after your surgery.
How long does a gingivectomy take to heal?
It is important to follow any postoperative instructions provided and to adhere to a soft foods diet for a few days. After about a week, everything should be healed as long as no complicating factors arise.
Are there any risks with a gingivectomy?
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks and possible side effects of a gingivectomy. It is common to experience some minor bleeding, swelling, and tooth sensitivity immediately following a gingivectomy but you may also experience bruising and mild discomfort. Infection, nerve damage, and abscess are rare complications that can arise after a gingivectomy.
What are the benefits of a gingivectomy?
For patients with a gummy smile, the aesthetic benefits of a gingivectomy are great. Feeling confident in your smile is important and if excessive gum tissue bothers you, you may not smile as much as you would like.
For those with periodontal issues, a gingivectomy can improve oral health by reducing the depth of the gum pockets where plaque and bacteria like to collect.
A periodontist is the doctor that will perform a gingivectomy but your dentist can determine if you are a candidate for a gingivectomy and provide a referral to a trusted periodontist in your area.