Gingivectomies

At Smile Hilliard, we are pleased to provide our patients with various treatments designed to treat periodontal disease and improve the health of the gums. For example, we use advanced dental treatment technology and our in-house soft tissue laser to perform gingivectomies. 

What Is a Gingivectomy?

A gingivectomy is a surgical procedure that removes diseased or dead gum tissue from a patient’s mouth. 

When Is a Gingivectomy Recommended?

Gingivectomy procedures are most commonly performed when a patient has overgrown gum tissue causing oral health problems. Gum tissues can become enlarged due to genetics or even as a side effect of certain medications. 

A gingivectomy might also be recommended for patients with advanced periodontal disease, a bacterial infection of the gums. 

What To Expect During the Gingivectomy Procedure

The process of getting a gingivectomy begins with a consultation with Dr. Sanyk. During this initial appointment, Dr. Sanyk will examine your teeth and gums and talk with you about your treatment goals to determine whether a gingivectomy is the most appropriate treatment option for you. If you are a good candidate for a gingivectomy, we will schedule a separate appointment for your procedure. 

On the day of your procedure, Dr. Sanyk will begin by administering a mild, local anesthetic to numb the treatment area and ensure you experience no pain or discomfort. Dr. Sanyk then uses our soft tissue laser to remove all of the dead or infected gum tissue from your mouth, leaving behind only healthy tissue and an even gum line. 

If you experience dental anxiety or suffer from a dental phobia, we encourage you to discuss these concerns with Dr. Sanyk during your consultation or before the day of your procedure. We can prescribe a medication to reduce your anxiety and help you relax during your appointment. 

The Advantages of Soft Tissue Laser Gingivectomies

Traditionally, gingivectomies were performed using scalpels to cut and remove diseased tissue and stitches to hold the incisions together for healing. This traditional surgical method, unfortunately, was highly invasive, led to lots of bleeding, caused significant swelling, and resulted in a lot of pain. It also had a pretty high risk of infection and a slow recovery process. 

Today, we’re proud to provide our patients with a much better alternative to scalpels and sutures – oral surgery with the soft tissue laser. 

The soft tissue laser instantaneously vaporizes unhealthy, dead, or diseased gum tissue while cauterizing the remaining healthy tissue. As a result, significantly less bleeding and swelling occur. Patients experience much less pain and shorter recovery times. Patients also benefit from a significantly reduced risk of infection. 

Gingivectomy and Comprehensive Periodontal Disease Treatment at Smile Hilliard

At Smile Hilliard, Dr. Sanyk is highly experienced in providing comprehensive periodontal disease treatment and gum contouring with our soft tissue laser. If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, have too much gum tissue, or are unhappy with the appearance of a gummy smile, we welcome you to schedule a consultation. Dr. Sanyk will be happy to talk with you about your oral health and cosmetic goals and perform an examination to determine if you are a good candidate for a gingivectomy. 

To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact Smile Hilliard or request an appointment online today.