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Gingivectomy

At Truly Dental we’re here to answer all of your questions about the Gingivectomy process to ensure that you know exactly what to expect and what your options are...

 

...whether you’re considering a cosmetic reshaping of your gums to improve your overall smile, or you and your dentist are looking at options to treat gingivitis or periodontal (gum) disease,

A Gingivectomy is a surgical dental procedure which is employed to contour and reshape the way your gums sit around your teeth. A Gingivectomy is one recommended treatment in some cases of advanced gum disease, as the procedure can remove the damaged, loose, or infected areas of tissue, helping to reverse the course of periodontal issues, safeguarding against future tooth loss due to gum disease, and promoting a better and faster recovery. 

Every smile is unique, and can present features which some patients find unwelcome. For example, some smiles may seem ‘gummy’, creating the impression of the teeth being shorter than they in fact are; while on the other hand, some patients struggle with receding gumlines. A Gingivectomy is also sought by patients in some cases of asymmetry, where to enhance the appearance of your smile your dentist can recontour and remove excess gum from one or multiple teeth, depending on the individual oral features, to unveil teeth which appear longer and more even, completely transforming your smile. 

Benefits of Gingivectomy

Benefits of Gingivectomy

  • Safe and effective corrective treatment in some patients with gum disease
  • Makes shorter teeth appear longer, allowing you to unveil a fuller smile, particularly after straightening procedures (such as Braces) which can often make teeth appear shorter
  • Recontour and remove excess gum to reduce the impression of a ‘gummy’ smile and introduce symmetry to your smile and overall facial aesthetics 
  • Transform your appearance with this self-esteem boosting and anti-aging procedure, and get ready to smile with confidence

What to Expect When Getting a Gingivectomy

What to Expect When Getting a Gingivectomy

Initial consultation 

Your dentist will carry out a full examination to determine the health of your teeth and gums, which will often include taking an X-ray to assess the severity of any gum disease evidenced by your exam, and to confirm the overall health of your bone. Signs or symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding caused by home brushing, or a feeling of ‘looseness’ of certain teeth, can at times be easily noticed by patients and may be the reason you have booked your consultation, or gum disease may be an incidental finding of your dentist during your regular Dental Check-Up. 

Whether you are experiencing the impact of gum disease, or you have concerns about the aesthetic appearance of your smile, at this consultation your dentist will address any concerns you may have in the context of your oral health exam, and discuss what your ideal end treatment goals look like for you. 

A detailed treatment plan will then be put in place, inclusive of a Gingivectomy if that procedure is recommended based on this initial consultation, as well as any other treatment which you would benefit from agreed between you and your dentist based on this assessment of your needs. Your treatment plan will include a full breakdown of all costs involved, as well as a timeline to completion of the proposed treatment. Any questions you have will be fully answered at this stage, and our team will be more than happy to go through the various payment plan options we offer at our clinic to suit all lifestyles, preferences, and budgets. 

Gingivectomy procedure

At the beginning of your procedural appointment, your dentist will give you a highly effective local anaesthetic to completely numb the area being worked upon, ensuring the entire procedure is completely pain-free. At most you will feel some gentle pushing or pressure on your gums. 

However, we do also offer further procedure options at Truly Dental for patients who for any reason cannot undergo dental treatment under anaesthetic alone. If you are a nervous patient we can provide this procedure, in fact all of our treatments, under dental sedation. Your dentist can discuss this option with you during your initial consultation if it would be of interest to you - for example if you suffer from dental anxiety – as while dental sedation means you will be conscious during your procedure, to respond to questions and direction from your dentist, you will be put into a completely relaxed and calm state, making for a fully stress-free and pleasant experience.

The Gingivectomy procedure itself is then quite a straightforward one. Using a surgical scalpel and our high-tech laser, the planned excess gum tissue will be meticulously and carefully excised and removed. The length of time of your appointment will depend on the extent of the periodontal damage in question, or the number of teeth undergoing gum contouring or reshaping, but you can expect to attend for at least 30 minutes for your procedure. 

Once the surgical procedure itself is complete, the gums will be held together with dental stitches to aid in the healing process, and a flexible, protective gauze will be applied. Your dentist will also give you full aftercare instructions and guidance at this stage, to make sure that your recovery and healing process goes as smoothly and uneventfully as possible. You will also have the chance to ask any questions you need, and your dentist will let you know when you should return to the clinic for a check-up and review of the surgical site – particularly important if your treatment was carried out as a result of periodontal damage or gum disease. 

Questions? Answers

What is a Gingivectomy?

A gingivectomy is a minor surgical procedure in which a small amount of your gum tissue is removed. In some cases it is utilised as a treatment of gum disease, damage or severe infection, and in others as a cosmetic technique, to reshape and recontour an excess of gum tissue around certain teeth. Following a gingivectomy your teeth will appear longer, fuller, and more symmetrical, unveiling your true, natural, and beautiful smile.

Do I need a Gingivectomy?

In the majority of cases a gingivectomy is a cosmetic procedure. If your teeth are asymmetrical, you have a ‘gummy smile’, or your teeth appear short or stumpy (sometimes an issue for patients following orthodontic treatment with braces to straighten their smile) a gingivectomy can completely transform your smile, making your teeth appear longer and enhancing their aesthetic appearance. 

In some cases of more advanced gum disease a gingivectomy may be recommended to improve the overall and long-term health of your gums. 

Is a Gingivectomy painful?

No, your dentist will ensure your mouth is completely numb before your treatment begins, ensuring that your procedure is entirely pain-free. It is common to experience some discomfort or tenderness as the gum heals in the days immediately following your treatment, however this can be effectively managed at home with over-the-counter painkillers and by following the aftercare instructions given to you by your dentist. 

At Truly Dental we also offer our patients the option to receive any treatment procedure under dental sedation. If you are a particularly nervous patient, you may prefer to discuss with your dentist undertaking your gingivectomy treatment this way, as dental sedation ensures that your experience of your dental treatment is entirely relaxing and worry-free throughout.  

Is there a difference between a Gingivectomy and crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening is often recommended to achieve the same or similar results as a gingivectomy; however, they are different procedures which achieve their end results differently. While a gingivectomy involves removal of some of the excess gum tissue from around the tooth, crown lengthening involves removal of both gum and bone. 

Your dentist will always conduct a full examination of your teeth, gums and bone, in addition to discussing your treatment goals with you in detail, before advising which treatment is best suited to you and your specific needs and situation. 

Are there any risks with a Gingivectomy?

A gingivectomy is a highly predictable, safe, minor-surgical procedure, and in both medical and dental terms it is considered to be very low risk. There is no risk of damage to your teeth or gum health by undertaking this procedure, and your treating dentist will always be happy to address any concerns or questions you have regarding your treatment during your initial consultation at our clinic. 

How long does it take to recover from a Gingivectomy?

As with the majority of minor-surgical dental procedures, the body’s natural healing process begins right away, as soon as the procedure is finished. The local anaesthetic used to numb your mouth for the procedure can be expected to leave your system fully within approximately four hours, so you will generally return to normal sensation not long after you reach home following your appointment. 

While it is common to experience some discomfort or tenderness as the gum heals in the days immediately following your treatment, this can be effectively managed at home with over-the-counter painkillers and by following the aftercare instructions given to you by your dentist. Any discomfort you experience will have lessened substantially by 3 to 5 days after your procedure. 

Typically, it can take between 1 to 2 weeks for complete healing and recovery following a gingivectomy. During this time your dentist will have given you detailed aftercare instructions, describing when to change your dental gauze and how to effectively manage any pain or discomfort, including the proper use of pain relief medication to ensure your recovery proceeds as smoothly as possible. It is also recommended for you to eat softer foods in the days following your treatment, and avoid hard, crunchy, or harsh foods which can more easily get caught between your teeth, and require more pressure and force to chew.

How much does a Gingivectomy cost?

At Truly Dental, Gingivectomy or gum contouring treatment begins at €600. The total cost can be affected by the number of teeth that require reshaping, and this price reflects the specialist nature of this micro-surgical treatment and the expert experience of our oral surgery team. 

Your dentist will be able to discuss the cost for your individual case and a detailed breakdown of your treatment plan and costs. At Truly Dental we are delighted to offer multiple payment plans to suit all treatment needs, lifestyles and budgets. One of our available plans allows you to pay for your treatment monthly, with absolutely no down payment required and at 0% interest! 

Concerned about symptoms of gingivitis or gum disease, or disheartened by a ‘gummy’ or receding smile?  

Call (0)1 525 2670 or book your initial consultation with one of our dedicated and experienced restorative or surgical dentists today

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