Why Do I Need a Gingivectomy?
Gingivectomy, also called crown lengthening, is a minor oral surgery that involves removing excess or damaged gums in a minimally invasive manner. The procedure corrects tissue overgrowth and improves the appearance of your teeth by removing excessive gum tissue, or gingiva.
Gingivectomies are most often performed on adults. A gingivectomy is the desired treatment option to make your smile look the healthiest it can be.
If you have taken some medication like a form of blood pressure pills or undergone hormonal changes, such as pregnancy gingivitis, your gums will become slightly bigger and look unnatural.
You can also have a gingivectomy to correct what is called a gummy smile, when your teeth look shorter because of the excessive gum tissue.
Having a gingivectomy is far less intrusive and a more cost-effective solution than a more expensive aesthetic procedure. If your treatment is completed with a dental laser, you will notice terrific results on the same day.
Are You a Candidate for Gingivectomy?
Your dentist may recommend a gingivectomy if you are experiencing gum recession because of:
- Gingivitis.
- A gum injury.
- Gum injury infections caused by bacteria.
- Natural aging.
Your dentist could suggest a gingivectomy if you have gum disease to prevent any further damage. It will also make it easier for you and your dentist to clean your teeth.
Gum disease often results in sagging pockets around the teeth. These gaps promote the accumulation of:
- Bacteria.
- Plaque.
- Calculus.
- Tartar.
Further damage will quickly result from these buildups.
If your dentist discovers an infection or gum disease during your regular exam or teeth cleaning and wants to stop progression, they may propose this procedure.
A gingivectomy will usually take between 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the amount of tissue removed.
Why Would You Need a Gingivectomy?
There are a variety of reasons you would consider a gingivectomy. The treatment involves reshaping excessive or inflamed gums and can be used to cure several issues ranging from gum disease to simple cosmetic improvements.
Gum disease often necessitates gingivectomy. Gingivitis can cause pockets between the gums and the teeth. Bacteria will accumulate and thrive in these pockets, accelerating the irritation of your gums.
Gum reshaping is often necessary as part of a restoration approach. When the gums inhibit access to the teeth that need restoration, your dentist can remove some of the gum to allow access to the teeth in concern.
The Gingivectomy Procedure
Minor gingivectomy procedures involving one tooth or just a few teeth will most often require just one appointment. Serious gum contouring or extensive removal may need several visits, for the most part if your dentist wants to let one area heal before proceeding to the next.
The following is usually how the procedure progresses:
- Your dentist will first administer a local anesthetic to numb the immediate area.
- Your dentist will perform an incision using a dental laser or a scalpel to remove excessive gum tissue.
- During this process, your dentist will also use a suction tool to remove any extra saliva.
- Your dentist could use a laser tool to vaporize the excess tissue and sculpt the gumline once the tissue has been removed.
- To promote a healthy recovery, your dentist will apply a soft dough-like substance and bandages to the area to protect the gums.