Gingivectomy

Millions of Americans suffer from gum disease. Oftentimes, gum disease comes in the form receding or protruding gum lines or deep pockets in the gums. When gum disease is bad enough, a gingivectomy may be necessary. This procedure involves cutting away portions of the gums.  

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a common and serious oral issue. When left untreated, it can cause damage to the soft tissue of bone in a person’s mouth and can even result in tooth loss. It starts with plaque-producing bacteria and can be worsened when an individual has a weakened immune system or bad oral hygiene habits. Smoking and diabetes can both increase the chance of the development of gum disease.

Gingivectomy Patients

People who have been diagnosed with severe gingivitis can benefit greatly from having a gingivectomy. The first step to treating gum disease is with a manual deep-cleaning known as curettage. If this is not successful, a gingivectomy may be the next recommended step.

Gingivectomy Procedure

This procedure is considered to be very safe. It can be done directly in the office. If a person has significant tartar buildup, the gingivectomy may take more than one visit to complete. Before the procedure, the patient will have root planning and scaling to scrape away all the plaque that can be removed.

After the deep clean, we will administer a local anesthetic to eliminate any discomfort associated with the procedure. We will also identify any pockets created by loose gum tissue. We then make an incision into the gums so that your underlying bone structure and teeth can be carefully examined. When this is done, the gingival flap is pulled away from the tooth exposing its root. Any diseased gum tissue located near healthy tissue will be removed.

A curette will be used to take away any granulation tissue, tartar buildup, and deep calculus. Once all of a patient’s diseased gum tissues has been taken out, and bleeding is under control, we will give you a periodontal pack. This is essentially a surgical dressing designed to promote tissue recovery and healing.

Post-Gingivectomy

After the surgery, we recommended that the patient rest for a few days. This will encourage the body to heal itself. We will also prescribe antibiotics to eliminate any chance of infection. It is important to stick to a soft-food diet for a few days.