Gingivectomy is surgery to remove excess or overgrown gum tissue (gingiva). Periodontists (gum specialists) use gingivectomy to treat some forms of periodontal (gum) disease. Gingivectomy is also a common cosmetic dentistry procedure used to fix a “gummy smile” (when excess gum tissue makes your teeth look short or “boxy”).
Types of gingivectomy
There are two main types of gingivectomy:
Traditional gingivectomy. A surgeon uses a scalpel to remove excess gum tissue. In some cases, they may need to remove a small amount of underlying bone. They may use stitches to close any incisions and slow bleeding.
Laser gingivectomy. A surgeon uses a handheld laser to remove excess gum tissue. Since lasers also cauterize (seal) gum tissue, you may not need stitches.
