A dental clinic led by Dr. Joseph Xuereb, a dental surgeon and Fellow in General Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and a Fellow of the International College of Dentists.
Gingivectomy is a periodontal surgical procedure in which diseased gingival tissue is removed and reformed in order to maintain the gingival contour. Gingevectomy is the treatment of choice for chronic gum disease when the condition cannot be treated with antibiotics, scaling and root planning. The procedure is also used to remove overgrown gum tissue and improve the appearance of the gums.
This periodontal surgery is primarily performed to eliminate microbial factors as well as soft tissue defects that lead to pocket formation or other severe periodontal diseases. The surgery aims to halt the progression of the disease and maintain the health of the soft tissue.
The procedure:
The dentist will first anesthetize the area to be operated.
The dentist separates the gingival flap from the bone in order to expose the roots.
The flap is separated by small incisions made over the gum tissue.
The calculus and other soft deposits on the tooth surface are then cleared away.
The surrounding alveolar bone may also require reforming and reshaping to maintain the proper alveolar contour.
The gingival flap is then placed back in position ad sutured.
A temporary protective covering is placed over the suture which will aid in tissue healing.
How many sessions are required for Gingivectomy?
The number of sessions required for the treatment is dependent on the extent of the disease. One quadrant of the mouth is operated on in one session. Depending on the area of gum tissue affected by the disease, the number of sessions may vary from one to four, followed by an additional session for suture removal.
How long does the entire procedure take?
If the severity of periodontal disease means that all the quadrants need to be treated, the entire procedure may take one to two months.
How well does it work?
The gingivectomy procedure is likely to stop the progression of disease if good oral hygiene is maintained after the surgery. The gum tissue will eventually heal up.
What type of dentist performs a Gingivectomy?
Gingivectomy surgery is typically performed by a specialist periodontal surgeon.
About Gingivectomy
Key facts to plan your treatment: how long it takes, your hospital stay, anaesthesia, risks and recovery.
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia
Recovery
The recovery phase for the gingivectomy procedure usually lasts for about a week to 10 days.
Sutures are removed after the tissue healing is complete.
Risks
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Introducing infection into the blood stream
After care
- Wound healing may take up to a week during which time a protective putty dressing covers the wound.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs are required to reduce the pain and swelling caused by the surgery. After the gum tissue heals properly, the sutures are removed.
- In order to maintain good health of the gum tissue following the surgery, visit the dentist every three months to remove calculus and plaque which are the main causes of the progression of gum disease.
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