How Painful is a Gingivectomy?
A gingivectomy is a simple, oral surgical procedure to remove excessive gum tissue, or gingiva. A gingivectomy is a treatment also used by your dentist to address gum disease. Gingivectomy is also a popular cosmetic dentistry solution performed to improve a gummy smile, where extra gum tissue makes your teeth seem smaller and out of visual balance with the gum tissue.
The Gingivectomy Procedure
The following are the steps taken during a gingivectomy procedure:
- Anesthesia- Before your dentist begins, they will administer a local anesthetic to numb your gums. If you request, an additional sedation can be added to help you relax and stay calm.
- Removing the excess gum tissue- Your dentist will remove any extra, unwanted, or overgrown gum tissue with either a scalpel or laser.
- Reshaping of the gums- Your dentist will reshape the contours of your gums after removing the extra gum tissue. This creates the proper proportional balance between your teeth and gums.
- Reshaping of the bones- Your dentist might also need to alter the underlying bone in some cases. They could need to make minor incisions to accomplish this.
- Stitches- Your dentist will use stitches to close any incisions and control the bleeding. This step is not necessary if you have laser gingivectomy.
A gingivectomy usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour to perform. It will take longer if you require a gingivectomy on multiple teeth.
The Gingivectomy Recovery
Post-operative care is a crucial element of your healing process after your gingivectomy. Depending on your specific needs and the complexity of your treatment, your dentist will suggest precise post-op recommendations. The following usual post-operative care guidelines may be applicable:
- Pain control- You may feel some soreness following the procedure. To help to manage your discomfort, your dentist might prescribe a pain reliever or recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever.
- It is common for some bleeding or weeping around the surgery site- To help to reduce bleeding, your dentist might ask you to bite down on gauze pads. It will be necessary to change the gauze pads frequently, per directions.
- Oral health- Your oral hygiene is always critical for a good recovery. You will need to avoid brushing or flossing the treated area for a few days. Your dentist will ask you to gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
- Diet- For the first several days, avoid foods that are hard and consume soft foods like soup, mashed potatoes, and yogurt. It is also wise to avoid hot, spicy, or acidic meals because they will irritate the surgical site.
- Vigorous Activity- You should avoid vigorous activity or exercise for the first 48 hours after your surgery. For a couple of days, your dentist might suggest to even avoid activities that require bending over or carrying heavy objects.
- Appointments for follow-up- Keep your scheduled follow-up appointments with your dentist to monitor your healing and to resolve any issues. Follow your post-operative care recommendations to aid in normal healing and to reduce any chance of problems.
Your gingivectomy recovery time will depend on the extent of your treatment and your own health. It is essential to follow the post-operative care instructions, which will include your pain management measures, some oral hygiene advice, and your food restrictions. You will achieve a smooth gingivectomy recovery by paying attention to your dental health and following instructions.