The technical name for your gums is gingiva. Early gum disease is called gingivitis. The suffix -ectomy refers to surgical removal of diseased tissue.
The first step of this procedure is to ensure that your gums to be treated are completely numb. Next, using either a scalpel or a laser, the diseased portions of the gum are cut away. In many cases, the gums may be enlarged because of the infection beneath them. These enlarged areas are trimmed away. As they are trimmed, the size of the pockets—those locations where bacteria love to live—are eliminated. As the gums heal, they attach themselves tightly to the teeth again, eliminating the pockets the bacteria love to hide in.
In a few cases, a gingivectomy may be needed because trauma or some other disease has altered the shape of the gums. Depending on the type of gingivectomy performed, stitches may be needed to close surgical areas. In the case of laser gingivectomy, this often is not needed.
Each of our experienced dentists will keep the aesthetics of your smile in mind as they perform this procedure. Your smile should look completely natural and attractive after your surgery.
