Gingivoplasty is the surgical reshaping of gum tissue around the teeth to either correct deformities or, simply, for cosmetic purposes. Gingivoplasty is similar to gingivectomy but with a different objective; it removes and reshapes loose, diseased gum tissue to get rid of pockets between the teeth and gums.
For either a gingivectomy or gingivoplasty, our periodontist will have a discussion with you regarding your oral hygiene habits and give you instructions for preparing properly for surgery. To reduce chances of infection during surgery, you will need to undergo thorough cleaning. Therefore, you may have to go through root planning in order to remove any tartar or calculus from the existing pockets.
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 receive 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.
Gingivectomy was originally developed to treat periodontal disease but nowadays it is used more commonly for cosmetic procedures. There are two main reasons you may have to remove your gum tissue:
Gingivoplasty is a procedure used to reshape your gums. Whether it be to correct asymmetrical gums, badly formed gums, diseased gums, genetically malformed gums, trauma, or for purely cosmetic purposes.
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.
See also our Lingual Frenectomy service.
