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What to Expect from Gingivectomy

Gingivectomy is surgical removal of gum tissue, or gingiva. Gingivectomy can be used to treat conditions like gingivitis. It’s also used to remove extra gum tissue for cosmetic reasons, such as to modify a smile.

Read on to learn how the procedure’s done, how much it may cost, and what recovery’s like.

Who’s a candidate for gingivectomy?

A dentist may recommend gingivectomy if you have gum recession from: aging, gum diseases, like gingivitis, bacterial infections, gum injury.

Gingivectomy for gum disease

If you have gum disease, a dentist may recommend this procedure to prevent future gum damage as well as give your dentist easier access to the teeth for cleaning.

Gum disease often creates openings at the bottom of the teeth. These openings can lead to a buildup of: plaque, bacteria, hardened plaque, known as calculus or tartar.

Those buildups can then lead to further damage.

Your dentist may also recommend this procedure if they discover gum disease or infection during a check-up or cleaning, and want to stop its progression.

Elective gingivectomy

Gingivectomy for cosmetic reasons is totally optional. Many dentists don’t recommend it unless the risks are low or if they specialize in cosmetic procedures.

Talk to a dentist about this procedure first to be aware of the pros and cons of an elective gingivectomy.

What to expect during the procedure?

A gingivectomy takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how much gum tissue your dentist removes.

Minor procedures involving a single tooth or several teeth will probably only take a single session. Major gum removal or reshaping may take several visits, especially if your dentist wants one area to heal before they move onto the next.

Here’s how the procedure works:

Your dentist injects local anesthetic into the gums to numb the area.

Your dentist uses a scalpel or laser tool to cut away pieces of gum tissue. This is called soft tissue incision.

During the procedure, your dentist will likely keep a suction tool in your mouth to remove excess saliva.

Once the tissue has been cut away, your dentist will likely use a laser tool to vaporize remaining tissue and shape the gumline.

Your dentist puts a soft putty-like substance and bandages on the area to protect your gums while they heal.

How do scalpel and laser procedures compare?

Laser gingivectomies are increasingly common because advances in laser technology continue to make tools cheaper and easier to use. Lasers are also more precise and allow faster healing and cauterization due to the heat of the laser, as well as a lower risk of infections from contaminated metal tools.

Laser procedures are more expensive than scalpel procedures and require more training, so your dentist may offer a scalpel gingivectomy if they’re not trained or don’t have the right equipment.

If you have health insurance, your plan may not cover laser procedures, so a scalpel gingivectomy may be more cost-effective. It’s a good idea to call your insurance provider before scheduling a gingivectomy so that you understand your benefits.

What’s recovery like?

Recovery from gingivectomy is typically quick. Here’s what to expect.

The first few hours

You should be able to go home right away. Your dentist will probably use local anesthesia only, so you can usually drive yourself home.

You may not feel pain right away, but as the numbing wears off a few hours after the procedure, the pain may be more sharp or persistent. An over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) may help ease the pain.

Your gums will probably also bleed for a few days. Replace any bandages or dressings until bleeding stops or until your dentist advises that your gums can be exposed again.

Your dentist or a dentist assistant should explain how to change your bandages or dressings before sending you home. If they didn’t explain it or if you’re unsure about the instructions, call their office to ask for instructions.

Outlook

Gingivectomy is a low-cost, low-risk procedure for taking care of damaged gum tissue or to change the appearance of your smile.

It doesn’t take long to recover and the outcome is often positive.

(11/22/2021)
by Healthline

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