Gingivectomy Treatment:
What is a Gingivectomy?
A gingivectomy is a procedure that is used to remove excess gum tissue (gingiva) from the front surface of your teeth. When gum tissue extends too far onto the front surface of your teeth, natural balance between the length of teeth and height of the gums is lost leaving one or more teeth to appear short. With a gingivectomy, we can return your gums to a more healthy and attractive condition. A gingivectomy can also be used to remove diseased tissue.Gingivectomy Before and After:
How is the treatment performed?
Preparation:Prior to a gingivectomy, a thorough cleaning should be done to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, gaps, and gum line. This is a good preventative measure to fight unwanted infections and pain following a gingivectomy treatment.
The Procedure:
At the start of a gingivectomy appointment, a local anesthetic (freezing) is used to numb the gums and area immediately surrounding the surgical area. Traditionally, special scalpels are then used to perform the required treatment. However, we use advanced laser technology that can carry out this procedure with much more comfort and ease of mind. The length of a gingivectomy can take from mere minutes to an hour, dependnig on the amount of gum tissue being removed.
After care for a Gingivectomy:
When the procedure is complete, a periodontal solution is placed over the area that had tissue removed to protect and help seal it during the recovery process. A diet consisting of soft foods is recommended for a week to ten days following treatment to avoid unneccessary damage to the gumline. Painkillers and an antiseptic mouthwash are also sometimes recommended.
It is crucial that the teeth surrounding the area are not brushed while the periodontal solution is in place, but carefully maintain the rest of your mouth during the healing process. It can take from a few weeks to a few months for the gumline to completely heal, but light brushing and flossing can be done on the teeth near the surgical area after the periodontal solution is removed.