Are you wondering what a Gingivectomy is? Have you been recommended a Gingivectomy lately? I’m Dr. Rachel Miro and I’m a dentist at Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialist, and today we’re going to talk about what a Gingivectomy is and why you might need one.
What is a Gingivectomy?
A Gingivectomy is a procedure aimed at either reshaping or removing excess gum tissue. Most commonly, this procedure is done to improve either the health or the aesthetics of your gums in your teeth.
Who Needs a Gingivectomy?
You might be wondering what types of patients need Gingivectomy and when are they recommended. Gingivectomy is a lot of times used for patients who have excessive gum tissue. That means gum tissue that has maybe overgrown your teeth. It’s also known as gingival hyperplasia. Another reason why we do Gingivectomy on patients is because they have deep pockets. These pockets of gum tissue can overgrow and make it difficult for our patients to clean the area.
Benefits of Gingivectomy
A lot of times, Gingivectomy is for cosmetic reasons. A lot of times patients have what we call a gummy smile, which is basically a smile where you see a lot of tissue and not as much teeth. These are really the main indicating factors for Gingivectomy.
This all being said, there are a lot of benefits to patients getting a Gingivectomy, one of them being really improving your oral health, making it easier for you to clean those areas that before you couldn’t get to other benefits are just making you happier with your smile. Our goal as dentists is to make sure that our patients are happy and confident when they smile, and a lot of times, Gingivectomy are needed in order to ensure our patients are happy with their smile.
The Role of Laser Technology
Here at Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialist, the most common equipment that we use in order to remove gum tissue is a laser. Lasers have really been a defining technology when it comes to Gingivectomy one because they really reduce the healing period of that tissue getting back to normal. They also make the procedure quick and painless for patients.
What to Expect During the Procedure
You might be wondering what exactly the Gingivectomy procedure looks like. What happens when I get to the office? Is it painful afterward? It’s pretty simple. First, you come in, and you see your dentist for an evaluation, and they’ll basically decide whether you are a candidate for a Gingivectomy. If you are a candidate, then they’ll go ahead and get you ready for the procedure. Before the procedure begins, the doctor will administer a local anesthetic. This is an anesthetic that is given right to the area where the Gingivectomy is going to take place. This assures that throughout the entire procedure, you don’t feel anything.
The Gingivectomy Procedure
After this, the gum tissue removal process will begin. The dentist will go ahead and remove whatever excess tissue you have. You’ll be given postoperative instructions. The dentist will go through what you need in order to properly care for the area. You’re going to be sensitive for a couple of days. A lot of times I like to tell patients it feels a little bit like a pizza burn if you’ve ever had one, because that really is what it feels like when it comes to pain.
Postoperative Care and Recovery
If patients are concerned, usually something like Ibuprofen or Tylenol will be just fine to take care of that discomfort you might have. Other than that, we might give you a mouthwash in order to ensure that you’re keeping the area nice and clean. Sometimes, depending on the extent of the removal of gum tissue, you might have a little suture in the area. If that is needed, you will have to see your doctor two weeks later in order for them to remove it. Recovery from a Gingivectomy is relatively quick, and usually, patients can safely go about their normal day after the procedure.
Reach Out to Us
If you’ve been told you need a Gingivectomy or maybe you do have a gummy smile that you’re not confident when you’re smiling, feel free to reach out to us at Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialists. We are here to help you and make sure you get that smile that you deserve. I’m Dr. Rachel Miro and I’m here to help you watch your mouth.