1.

Indications for gingivoectomy and gingivoplasty

2. Contraindications for gingivoectomy and gingivoplasty
3. Advantages to Gingivectomy and gingivoplasty
4. Disadvantages to gingivoplasty and gingivoectomy
5. Gingivoectomy and gingivoplasty and healing

Procedures : Gingivoplasty
Benefits

 Facilitates immediate impressions for crown and bridge procedures.

 Removes and reshapes loose, diseased gum tissue to get rid of
pockets between the teeth and gums with minimal operative pain, this
procedure being made without scalpel or sutures.
 The outcome increases the length of the clinical crown for improved
retention and esthetic harmony.

Who is this procedure for?

Changing the gum tissue is an option when your teeth are too small, too
short, and too wide or you think you have a „gummy” smile. By
gingivectomy procedure your smile will be even more beautiful than before,
only by changing the tissue. Gum contouring represents a quick way to a
new smile, often shadowed by the “uneven” displeasing line of the teeth
which can make some teeth appear too large or too small. The corrective
procedure of gingivoplasty is the simplest cosmetic procedure through which
the beautiful smile is just at one step distance. This procedure involves the
reshaping of gingival deformities to improve form and function.

Who should not consider this procedure?

In the case of gingivoplasty, healing is rapid and complications few.

Gingivoplasty do not require flaps or sutures and while these procedures
may seem stressful, patients in good health can be expected to cope with
them well. Still, patients under medical treatment or suffering from certain
blood disease should consider the doctor’s advice before taking this option
into consideration.

What happens before the procedure?

As gingivoplasty is mainly a cosmetic procedure, quite easy and quickly
done, one shouldn’t ignore the implications it might have upon his/her body.
Thus, in a pre-procedure appointment, you will be informed about every step
of the procedure, your gums will be inspected in order to establish the
“trimming” line, to assure an aesthetic contour of teeth. Procedures of doing
gingivoplasty will be presented to you and then the best procedure will be
chosen: periodontal knife, scalpel or electrosurgery.

What happens during the procedure?

Gingivoplasty procedures are usually done with local anesthetics. There are
usually three steps to follow: first, a periodontal probe is used to measure
and mark pocket depth, followed by marking of the beveled incision with a
scalpel blade or electrosurgery. By electrosurgery the gum tissues in excess
are cut, the irregularities reshaped and the unattractive gums contoured. In
the same time, electrosurgery equipment minimizes bleeding and finally the
end result of the procedure finishes in the scalloped border of the normal
gingival that has been recreated.

What happens after the procedure?

Healing after gingivoplasty is very quick. Optimal plaque control is required

for healing so brush daily as recommended by your dentist to avoid any
stray debris and bacteria that could cause irritation or infection. As gums
heal, less sensitivity to hot or cold drinks and food items is noticed.
Moreover, the roots of your teeth will be further protected against tooth
decay. To heal completely, a couple of weeks must pass but once your gum
removal surgery has healed, you should notice how much more natural this
area looks.

Dr Dobhals Dental Care

18 Juni 2013 ·

What is gingivectomy and gingivoplasty?

Gingivectomy is the surgical removal of gum tissue or gingiva. Gingivoplasty is the surgical
reshaping of gum tissue around your teeth. These two procedures are performed by a
periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist that specializes in treating gums and the other supporting
structures around your teeth.

What is gingivectomy used for?

Gingivectomy was originally developed to treat periodontal disease but nowadays it is used more
commonly for cosmetic procedures. You may have to remove your gum tissue for two reasons
There are gaps or pockets that have formed between your teeth and your gums. These pockets
will trap food particles, harbour colonies of bacteria, and make it difficult for you to clean. If the
pockets only involve soft tissues then these gaps may be removed by simply trimming the gums
through gingivectomy
There is too much gum tissue for your teeth. Aside from cosmetic reasons, too much gum tissue
for your teeth will make it hard for you to keep your mouth clean. In severe situations, this
condition can interfere with the way you eat and the way you talk. Overgrowth in gum tissue is
caused by certain anti-seizure medications. Sometimes, other drugs may cause it. On some
occasions, there could be no cause at all

What is gingivoplasty used for?

Reshaping your gums through gingivoplasty could make your gums look more natural. The
gingivoplasty procedure could be used to correct asymmetrical gums, badly formed gums,
diseased gums, genetically malformed gums, trauma, or for purely cosmetic purposes.
Gingivoplasty is usually done alone although it can also be done after a gingivectomy or a gum
graft. Gum grafts are additions of gum tissue to the gum line.

How do you prepare for a gingivectomy or a gingivoplasty?

Before either of these procedures, your periodontist will have a discussion with you regarding
your oral hygiene habits. Your periodontist will also give you further instructions for preparing
properly for the surgery. It is important that before a gingivectomy or gingivoplasty, you get a
thorough cleaning. You may have to go through root planing in order to remove the tartar or
calculus from the existing pockets.

How is a gingivectomy or a gingivoplasty performed?

A gingivectomy or a gingivoplasty is usually performed using a scalpel. It can also be performed

using elctrosurgery units, diamond dental burs, and lasers. Your periodontist may use specialized
instruments designed for gingivectomies like angled blades that allow your dentist to work
around your teeth.

Before either of these procedures, you will get a local anaesthetic injection that will make your
gums numb. A gingivectomy may last for a few minutes to more than an hour. The duration of
the surgery will depend on the amount of gum tissue that has to be worked on. Gingivoplasties
are usually done in a couple of minutes only.

How should you follow-up your gingivectomy or gingivoplasty?

A periodontal dressing will be placed on your gums after your gingivectomy or gingivoplasty.
This periodontal dressing is a type of bandage left in the treated area for about a week or two.
You may have to follow a soft diet, avoid spicy foods, and refrain from eating crunchy foods
during this healing period. Your dentist may also prescribe some pain medications and
chlorhexidine mouth rinse.
You must make it a point to keep your mouth clean during this healing period. Your periodontist
will advice you not to brush the teeth in the surgical area while the periodontal dressing is still
there. For the rest of your mouth, you can brush normally and floss just like before although you
may have to be a little more careful with a periodontal dressing nearby. When this periodontal
dressing is removed, you will be able to brush your teeth normally and floss normally as well.
You should not be worried if the healing tissues bleed after you floss or brush because this is
normal right after the dressing is removed.

You will have the periodontal dressing removed after a week or two. Your gums will start
looking natural once again after a month. It may take about three months for your tissues to heal
completely.

What are the risks associated with gingivectomy or gingivoplasty?

There are no major risks to gingivectomy or gingivoplasty so infections aren’t common in such
procedures. It is possible for your gums to bleed although this is rare as well. The affected area
may ooze blood for a day or two but it should eventually subside in time.

When should you call a professional?

You should call your periodontist if one or more of the following happen to you
your gums do not stop bleeding
there is excessive pain that can not be remedied by painkillers. Even if people have different
thresholds for pain, a gingivectomy should not cause a lot of pain
you think that your gums might be infected
there is excessive swelling and discharge from the surgical area
the periodontal dressing becomes loose
the periodontal dressing is displaced
the lymph nodes in your lower jaw and in your neck become swollen
- See more at: http://www.cosmeticdentistryguide.co.uk/…/gingivectomy.html…