Periodontics
Gingivectomy in Los Angeles
Taking tissue away, rather than reshaping what is there.
Where gum has overgrown or is diseased beyond recovery, removing it is what lets the area be cleaned and kept clean. Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry performs it with a soft-tissue laser.
The distinction
Removal, not reshaping
The distinction matters because the two procedures are constantly confused. Gingivoplasty — described on our gum contouring page — reshapes existing tissue to improve function and appearance. A gingivectomy removes tissue. They are sometimes done in the same appointment, and they are still not the same operation. The reason to be clear about it is that they answer different questions. Reshaping is usually about how a gum line looks; removal is usually about what can be kept clean. Where gum has overgrown across the teeth, or has been damaged past the point of reattaching, the tissue itself is what creates the trap that holds plaque — and contouring the edge of it does not change that.
When it is needed
When tissue needs removing
Removal is warranted when the tissue is the problem, rather than the shape of it.
- Overgrowth Gum that has enlarged over the teeth, which can happen for several reasons including as a side effect of some medications.
- Pockets that cannot be maintained Where excess tissue is what creates the pocket, removing it removes the trap. See gum disease.
- Tissue beyond recovery Where diseased gum will not reattach however well the area is cleaned.
- Access for restorative work Sometimes alongside crown lengthening, though that is a different intent again.
Done with a laser
Soft tissue is where laser dentistry earns its place, and it is one of the technologies in this office — see the technology page.
Treating the cause too
If overgrowth is medication-related or driven by inflammation from plaque, removing the tissue without addressing why it grew is a temporary fix. That is what scaling and root planing and periodontal maintenance are for.
What we have not stated
Healing time and how the tissue settles depend on the extent of the surgery and on you. Ask at the consultation and you will get an answer about your own case.
The short answer
A gingivectomy is a gum procedure that removes gum tissue which has become overgrown or diseased, rather than reshaping the tissue that is already there. The excess or diseased tissue is taken away, here with a soft-tissue laser, so the tissue no longer forms a trap that holds plaque. It is used where gum has grown over the teeth, where tissue will not reattach however well it is cleaned, or where excess tissue creates a pocket that cannot be kept clean.
Gingivectomy FAQ
- What is the difference between gingivectomy and gingivoplasty?
- A gingivectomy removes gum tissue, while a gingivoplasty reshapes the tissue that is already there. Reshaping is usually about how a gum line looks, and removal is usually about what can be kept clean. The two are sometimes done in the same appointment, but they are still different procedures that answer different questions.
- Why would gum need removing?
- Gum needs removing when the tissue itself is the problem rather than its shape: overgrowth, tissue diseased beyond recovery, or excess tissue that creates a pocket which cannot be kept clean. Overgrowth can happen for several reasons, including as a side effect of some medications. Where excess tissue forms the pocket, removing it removes the trap that holds plaque. Removal is also sometimes needed for access before restorative work.
- Is it done with a laser?
- Yes — the procedure is done with a soft-tissue laser. Soft tissue is where laser dentistry earns its place, and it is one of the technologies in this office. Healing time and how the tissue settles depend on the extent of the surgery and on you, so ask at the consultation for an answer about your own case.
- Will the overgrowth come back?
- It can, if the cause is not addressed. Where overgrowth is medication-related or driven by inflammation from plaque, removing the tissue without dealing with why it grew is a temporary fix. That is what scaling and root planing and periodontal maintenance are for, and they belong in the same plan.
