Gingivectomy

Gingivectomy | Woodshore Family Dentistry

Gingivectomy is a procedure in which the dentist removes gum tissues from your teeth and gums either to treat periodontitis or to get rid of excess gum tissues for aesthetic purposes.

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Gingivectomy

Gingivectomy is a procedure used for either cosmetic purposes or to treat the deep pockets formed by gum disease. This is a treatment in which the dentist removes gum tissues from your teeth and gums. This may be done if your gum tissues are infected by periodontitis or if you have too much gum tissues and want to remove them for aesthetic purposes. Please continue reading for a detailed discussion of the gingivectomy procedure.

Reasons to Get Gingivectomy Surgery

There are two primary reasons to get gingivectomy surgery — medical and cosmetic. The medical reason is related to your gum health if you suffer from injuries, gum disease, gum recession, or other such issues. The cosmetic reason relates to changing the gum line for aesthetic purposes. The following is a detailed overview of why you may need gingivectomy surgery.

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Gingivectomy Cosmetic

Gingivectomy cosmetic treatment is a procedure used to enhance the cosmetic appearance of your smile. This is a completely safe procedure in which the dentist removes some of the surplus gum tissues from your mouth. This ensures that your smile looks less “gummy”, thereby enhancing your overall cosmetic appearance.

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Periodontitis Gingivectomy

Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease in which plaque and tartar accumulate in your mouth and your gum line. The accumulation of plaque and tartar also lead to bacterial infections, which spreads to the gum line, thereby infecting the gums and causing gum recession. If you don’t treat periodontitis, it will continue spreading and also infect your bones, for which you’ll need to go for even more invasive surgeries or even get your tooth extracted. Furthermore, periodontitis also leads to complications like frequent bleeding due to gum sensitivity, bone loss, and even possible tooth loss. During the periodontitis gingivectomy procedure, the dentist will remove all of the infected gum tissues. This will treat gum disease and prevent the infection from spreading. Following that, the dentist will be able to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums to remove all bacteria.

Gingivectomy Procedure

Gingivectomy is a pretty simple procedure and it can conclude within an hour, though that will depend on the amount of gum tissue that the dentist needs to remove, and the number of teeth from which the gums need to be extracted. If you need gum tissues removed from a few teeth, the dentist can complete the procedure in a single sitting, but if you need gum tissues removed from several teeth, you may need to return for multiple sessions.

The following is an overview of the steps involved in the gingivectomy procedure.

  • Before the gingivectomy procedure, the dentist will inject anesthesia into your gums to numb the area so you don’t feel any pain.
  • The dentist may use a scalpel or a laser to remove a part of the gum tissues from the surface.
  • The dentist will use a suction tool that removes the saliva generated by your mouth so it doesn’t interfere with the gingivectomy procedure.
  • The dentist will remove all of the necessary gum tissues.
  • Once the necessary tissues have been removed, the dentist will use a laser to shape the remaining gum tissues in the gum line and vaporize the excess tissues.
  • The treated region will be extremely sensitive. So the dentist will apply a soft protective gel and bandages to protect it from external impurities.

What is Laser Gingivectomy? Can Laser Help Treat my Gum Disease?

Laser gingivectomy is a procedure in which the dentist uses a laser instrument to remove the gum tissues and shape the gum line. This is an advanced procedure to treat gum disease and shape the gum line whereas the traditional method is to use a scalpel. Laser gingivectomy is better than scalpel gingivectomy because it’s more accurate and it cauterizes the wound better so that your gums heal quickly. Laser gingivectomy also has a negligible risk of side effects like infections. It should, however, be performed by experts who are highly trained in the method and several dentists still prefer using a scalpel.

Laser can help treat your gum disease by removing the infected gum tissues. However, after the infected gum tissues are removed, the dentist will still have to do a deep cleaning to ensure there are no more bacteria or tartar in your teeth and gums.

What is the Difference Between Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty?

Gingivectomy is a procedure in which the dentist removes gum tissues either to prevent gum disease from spreading or for cosmetic purposes. Gingivoplasty is a procedure in which the dentist simply shapes the gums without removing any gum tissues. This is done to prevent cavities or mostly to enhance the cosmetic appearance of your smile. As such, gingivectomy is usually meant for medical purposes where gingivoplasty is usually cosmetic in nature.

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This place is great! Everyone is so kind and very professional. The dentist is awesome also. He takes the time to listen and gives you all the options with no pressure. They are also great with kids here. My 10 and 3 year old also do well when they come here. I highly recommend this place for anyone who wants great care for their teeth.

Laura H.

The entire office is very friendly. They go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. I really appreciated the extra time each Doctor took to review my medical history.  Very gentle, kind and confident dental care.

Paula H.

I can’t say enough about my experience at this dental office! The entire staff was very friendly, from the second I walked in to the time I walked out. The doctor took the time to explain all that was going on, and he was very gentle in his approach which is what I like. Highly recommend this place!

Shaan

Me and my wife had been looking for a new dentist and we finally found them. This group of people are great. Extremely courteous and good at what they do. I couldn’t be more pleased with our new dentists and would highly recommend them to anyone.

Paul S.

The staff was so friendly and helpful. You can tell they really care about their patients and love what they do. They all made the experience really easy & comfortable. Highly recommend!

Kurstie P.

Hadn’t been to the dentist in 3 years because I just didn’t like it… tried this one out. Very kind and professional staff, friendly, outgoing, made me feel welcome. Definitely would recommend this dentist

Meena D.

The office is very clean and my daughter loved the tv in the ceiling to watch while her work was being done. Thanks again to the staff and doctor for making her feel comfortable.

Michael J.

Great customer service from check in to check out! It was my daughter’s first dental appointment and the staff made her very comfortable!

Santanna W.

The staff was very welcoming and friendly! Dr. Pattni explained my plan thoroughly and made sure I was comfortable during my treatment which I really appreciated. They also perform orthodontic work at affordable prices which is great because now I only have to go to one office for all of my dental needs. Not to mention the decor, ambiance, and state-of-the-art equipment is truly exceptional! Will definitely be coming back!

Anjani P.

Recovery from Gingivectomy

There are three stages in the recovery process from gingivectomy.

  • First Stage: Once the anesthesia wears off, you’re likely to experience considerable pain, for which you’ll need to use over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen. Your gums may even bleed often and you’ll have to constantly replace the bandages to aid the healing process.
  • Second Stage: You’ll experience some jaw pains occasionally for a few days. Your dentist will advise you to eat soft foods, rinse your mouth with saltwater, and use cold compresses to manage the swelling and pain.
  • Third Stage: You’ll be perfectly alright within a week and may only experience slight soreness occasionally. You should visit your dentist in a week to make sure your gums are healing correctly. Following that, you can proceed with your regular eating habits and maintain your teeth with regular oral hygiene habits like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash. You should continue going for regular dental cleaning appointments to prevent periodontitis in the future.

FAQs About Gingivectomy

How Much does Gingivectomy Cost?

Gingivectomy cost for a single tooth may be as high as $200 to $400. However, if you need gingivectomy for several teeth, most dentists usually quote a discounted rate for the complete procedure. Since this is a medical procedure, it’s usually covered by insurance to a varying extent.

 Laser Gingivectomy Near Me

At Woodshore Family Dentistry, we examine your teeth carefully to determine if you nee gingivectomy procedure. We have laser gingivectomy procedure experts who can treat your gum disease with lasers. If you have any other questions, please schedule your gingivectomy appointment today.

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