Gingival curettage removes the soft tissue lining of the periodontal pockets in order to
completely eliminate bacteria and diseased tissue. It may be used along with scaling and root planing,
but achieves a deeper and more complete cleaning. Evidence indicates, however,
that it does not contribute any additional benefits beyond simple scaling and planing.
Gingivectomy
You may need surgery for severe gum disease (periodontitis) if it cannot be cured with antibiotics or root planing and scaling.
A gingivectomy removes and reshapes loose, diseased gum tissue to get rid of pockets between the teeth and gums.
A gum specialist (periodontist) or
oral surgeon often will do the procedure.
The Periodontis will start by numbing your gums with a local anesthetic. The
Periodontis may use a laser to remove loose gum tissue.
After removing the gum tissue, the doctor will put a temporary putty-like substance over your gum line.
This will protect your gums while they heal. You can eat soft foods and drink cool or slightly warm liquids
while the putty is in place and your gums are healing.
Gingivoplasty
Gingivoplasty is a procedure in which we surgically reshape and re-contour the gum tissue for cosmetic, physiological, or functional purposes.
Gingivoplasty is the surgical reshaping of the outer surface of the gums and it's usually done in combination with gingivectomy.
The term comes from gingiva meaning gums and the word ending -plasty meaning to reshape.
Many patients have a gummy smile which is caused by excessive and overgrown gum tissue.
Excess gum tissue can usually be removed to reveal a beautiful smile underneath.
After a gingivectomy procedure, the gingivoplasty procedure thins the remaining gums tissue so the tissue looks natural and pleasing.
It's done this using an electrosurgery unit and a specially designed electrical cutting tip.
The electrosurgery unit uses electricity to cut the gum tissues and at the same time, causes the gum tissues to clot and stop bleeding.
Gingivoplasty corrects the remaining thick and unnaturally shaped gum tissue left after the gingivectomy procedure exposes the hidden teeth.
Natural gum tissue thins as it approaches and surrounds teeth. It can get confusing because the two procedures are almost always used at the same time.
These procedures can also be used to reshape irregularly shaped and unattractive gums.
Gingivoplasty procedures are usually done with local anaesthetics.
The electrosurgery equipment minimizes bleeding and most patients experience very little post operative pain after the procedure.
