The gum tissue can be very thick and large covering the tooth surface making the teeth look short. This can happen because of medications, bone that extends too close to the surface of the teeth, or inflammation due to gum disease.

A gingivectomy is a periodontal procedure that eliminates excess gum tissue. The term “gingivectomy” is derived from Latin:

  • “gingiva” means gum tissue,
  • “-ectomy” means to remove.

The following are some reasons a gingivectomy might be needed:

Cosmetics: To make the teeth look normal in size when the gum is covering too much of it, making the teeth look longer and more proportional.

Functional/Esthetics: To remove excess gum tissue (gingival overgrowth) that has formed as a result of certain drugs such as anti-seizure and organ-transplant medications, and certain high blood pressure medications.

Bone and gum health around the teeth: To shrink deep gum pockets. This procedure might require some bone work as well.

Procedure

We first will anesthetize the area(s) to be treated. The excess of gum tissue is removed either with a scalpel blade and sometimes some rotary instruments or a laser. In most cases no sutures (stitches) are required. The surgical sites will be sore for 24-48 hours, and medication will be provided to alleviate any discomfort experienced. A week follow-up appointment is usually needed to ensure proper healing.

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A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you’ll see they have the same basic parts.

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Unlike with regular scalpel “gum surgery” there is no cutting of the gum tissues or sewing with stitches, so the whole experience is virtually pain free. Laser

Mehdi Noroozi, Periodontist, Implant Surgeon

For nearly two decades, Dr. Noroozi and his dedicated team have transformed the smiles of thousands of patients, delivering exceptional results with minimal discomfort, fewer complications, and quicker recovery times. As the founder and clinical director of IMPrESS Perio Implant Center, Dr. Noroozi leads a renowned practice specializing in advanced microsurgery and minimally invasive periodontal and dental implant procedures.

Faranak Zaeimdar, Prosthodontist

Dr. Zaeimdar is a Board Certified Specialist in Prosthetic Dentistry.

Nathalie Pauletto, Periodontist

Dr. Pauletto then graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1997, with a combined diploma in the specialty of Periodontics and a Masters of Clinical Dental Science, which involved […]