What is a Gingivectomy
A gingivectomy is a surgery used to remove excess or overgrown gum tissue. Patients with a gummy smile are often treated using a gingivectomy to expose more tooth structure. A gummy smile is when excess gum tissue makes your teeth look shorter than they actually are. Excessive gum tissue can also be a result of periodontal disease.
There are two main types of gingivectomy available, traditional and laser. For a traditional gingivectomy, the doctor will use a scalpel to remove excess gum tissue and typically requires stitches to close open surgery sites. A laser gingivectomy utilizes a handheld laser to remove and cauterize excess gum tissue, eliminating the need for stitches.
How is a gingivectomy performed?
The doctor will administer an anesthetic before your surgery to make sure that your gums are completely numb; if necessary, sedation may also be provided. Using a scalpel or laser, the doctor will remove excess or overgrown gum tissue and reshape the gum line to ensure that your gums are proportionate to your teeth.
Some patients may need to have the underlying bone reshaped which the doctor will do before finishing up. If your doctor uses a scalpel, they will use stitches to close the incisions and allow the blood to clot. If they used a laser, the laser cauterizes as it cuts so stitches are not necessary. Your doctor may opt to put a soft hoodie over the surgical area to protect it while it heals. This wound dressing usually comes out on its own but if it does not, your doctor will remove it at your follow up appointment.
Depending on the amount of tissue being removed, the whole procedure usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour. A gingivectomy is an outpatient procedure so you are able to go home immediately after your appointment. If you opted for sedation, it is important that you have someone pick you up to drive you home.
What is the healing time after a gingivectomy?
It typically takes about a week for gums to heal after a gingivectomy, depending on the extent of surgery and how well post operative instructions are followed.
What are the risks and benefits of a gingivectomy?
Any surgical procedure will have some risks and side effects. Gingivectomy can result in bleeding, swelling, tooth sensitivity, bruising, and mild discomfort. On a very rare occasion, complications can arise including infection, nerve damage, and abscess.
The benefits of a gingivectomy include a reduction in oral bacteria, decrease in the depth of gum pockets around the teeth, improved oral hygiene, and of course the aesthetic benefits of an appropriate gum/tooth ratio!
If you have a gummy smile that makes you self-conscious, a gingivectomy might be a great option for you. A periodontist can use a gingivectomy to treat periodontal disease and prevent relapse. This procedure can also be used in conjunction with orthodontic treatment to give you the best outcome possible. Speak with your dentist to see if a gingivectomy may be a good treatment for you!