These two similar procedure's names originate with the word gingiva, which is the medical term for gums. 

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Gingivoplasty is a periodontal treatment that reshapes the gums (gingiva) to correct the appearance and/or health of the gum. 

Reasons for a Gingivoplasty are:

• To create attractive gums - Some people feel they have a “gummy smile”. This is caused by the gum tissue covering too much of their teeth. Our highly trained periodontal surgeons can reduce the gums and allow more of your teeth to show when you smile. This can lead to an increased amount of smiling. 

• To reshape grafted gums - Part of the healing process of periodontal disease often involves the use of gum grafts to rebuild gums that have been damaged during the course of perio or gum disease. Gum grafts create healthy new gums that help to protect each tooth's root and the bones that surround them. 

• To enhance tissue appearance after a gum graft (this is rare) - Once the gum graft has healed to the damaged gums (and started growing new gum tissue, a gingivoplasty can be performed. It is essentially the final step in the gum grafting process because it shapes your now healthy gums to function properly and look aesthetically appealing.

• Also, there are occasions when gum material can grow over teeth while people are wearing metal braces. 

A Gingivectomy is generally performed when there is gum tissue overgrowth. There are multiple reasons beyond disease. It can occur due to certain medications or even due to just not taking the best care of your teeth.  There can be many reasons.  It helps remove the pockets from your gums where plaque and tartar can easily gather. Removing pockets around the teeth and gums allows the gums to heal more effectively because infection won’t occur in these pockets. It is one of the oldest surgical approaches to periodontal therapy and is usually done for improvement of aesthetics or prognosis of teeth. 

A Gingivectomy is typically used to treat:

• Gum over growth

• Excessive gingival tissue

 

 

Will a gingivectomy or gingivoplasty hurt? Most periodontal procedures are not painful, but worst case,  you may feel some discomfort following your procedure. Minor gum bleeding is normal for the first day or two. The discomfort reported by our patients is far less than the fear of losing their teeth permanently in the future. 

We don't just fix teeth, we change lives. We can help you change yours.

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