Gingivectomy & Gingivoplasty

What is the difference between gingivectomy and gingivoplasty?

Both of these procedures are carried out by a periodontist who specialises in treating gums, but there is a key difference between the two.

A gingivectomy is the surgical removal of gum tissues – which is also known as gingiva – while a gingivoplasty is the reshaping of the area around teeth, which is often carried out on individuals who feel they have an excessive gum-to-tooth ratio.

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Gingivectomy

Originally developed to treat gum disease, a gingivectomy is now used more commonly as a cosmetic procedure.

Patients who seek this treatment usually do so for one of two reasons:

Gaps or pockets have formed between the teeth and gums, which could trap food particles or collect bacteria and make it extremely difficult to clean. In instances when the pockets only involve soft tissue, these spaces can be removed by simply trimming the tissue.

There is too much gum tissue for the teeth, which – aside from cosmetic reasons – can make it harder to maintain oral health. At its worst, this issue may interfere with the way a person eats or talks. Overgrowth in the gum tissue can also be caused by certain anti-seizure medications.

Gingivoplasty

The act of reshaping the area through gingivoplasty can help to make gums appear more natural and can be used to correct asymmetrical gums, those that are badly formed, when they have been affected by gum disease or malformed due to genetic problems, as well as treating individuals who have suffered gum recession.

Learn more about gummy smiles

Frequently asked questions

: Before either treatment is carried out, our periodontist will discuss the process with each patient, as well as enquire about their oral hygiene routine. Initially patients usually receive a thorough mouth cleaning in order to remove any plaque or calculus present.
: There is careful planning by the periodontist to ensure that you are fully happy with the plan before any treatment is carried out. For the procedure, local anaesthetic is given first. Both procedures are usually administered using a scalpel or a soft tissue laser.
: Following the operation, a periodontal dressing will be placed on the gum tissue and is left in place for between one and two weeks. During this period, individuals are advised to consume a soft diet and avoid spicy foods, while also abstaining from eating crunchy items. We may prescribe some pain medications and chlorhexidine mouth rinse.
It is vital for those that have undergone either procedure to keep their mouth clean, but they should avoid brushing their teeth in the surgical area while the dressing is still in place.