Gingivectomy Vs. Gingivoplasty: What’s The Difference?

Gingivectomy and gingivoplasty are both procedures used to enhance the appearance of the gums by contouring or reshaping them. They can sometimes be used together and sometimes separately depending on the patient’s requirements.

Although both these procedures aim to treat the gums, they differ slightly. A gingivoplasty procedure is mainly used to contour healthy gum tissues for aesthetic purposes while a gingivectomy will be a necessity when the gums are diseases. At City Dental Clinic in Albania, we perform both these procedures so if you are interested, call us. 

gingivoplasty in Albania, affordable gum surgery in Tirana

What Is A Gingivectomy?

As we said before gingivectomy is a procedure used to treat overgrown gum tissue and to treat gum disease. This procedure will not only provide health benefits but it will also improve our appearance. 

Types Of Gingivectomy

Gingivectomy has two main types which are:

Traditional gingivectomy: During this procedure, the surgeon will use a surgical scalpel to get rid of the excess gum tissue. When necessary they might also need to remove some part of the bone beneath. After this step is done they will use stitches to close the wounds and stop the gums from bleeding. 

Laser gingivectomy: This new technique of gingivectomy uses a laser to remove the gum tissue. After this procedure, stitches won’t be necessary since the laser will close the wounds. 

Who Is A Suitable Candidate For Gingivectomy?

This procedure will be suitable for every patient who has the following:

  • Gingivitis or periodontitis.
  • If they want to improve the appearance of their gummy smile. 
  • Orthodontic appliances.
  • When the teeth are misaligned you can develop excess gum tissue. 

 

Another reason why people consider gingivectomy is because certain medications like amlodipine and cyclosporine can cause the growth of the gums. If you notice any sign of this contact one of our professional dentists here at City Dental Clinic in Albania. They will either decide to change the dosage or recommend another medication.

What Happens During The Gingivectomy Procedure?

If you are considering the gingivectomy procedure you should expect:

  1. Anesthesia will be the first step of the procedure and in these procedures, the local one will be needed. 
  2. The second step of the procedure will be the removal of the excess gum tissue by surgical scalpel or laser.
  3. Once the excess gum tissue is removed the surgeon will need to reshape the gums so they look good. 
  4. In some cases, patients will also need to have their underlying bone reshaped. For this step, the dentist will need to make small incisions to close the wounds along the treated area. 
  5. If you go through with a traditional gingivectomy you will need stitches. However, if you decide on having a laser gingivectomy this step of the procedure won’t be necessary. 

How Long Does A Gingivectomy Take?

The gingivectomy procedure is relatively short and it doesn’t require several sessions. The usual amount of time needed to complete the procedure will be 30 to 60 minutes. However, this will depend on the type of gingivectomy and how many teeth will need to be altered. 

What Should I Expect After Gingivectomy?

After gingivectomy, it won’t be necessary to spend more time at the dental clinic. Since this is not considered a very invasive procedure you will be able to return home and rest immediately after. 

Our dentist in Albania will give you a list of recommendations on how to take care of yourself at home and have a faster recovery. 

What Are The Benefits Of Gingivectomy?

The procedure of gingivectomy will offer a number of benefits and advancements. Some of these include:

  • Fixing the look of a gummy smile.
  • Reduces the risk of infections from harmful bacteria. 
  • Minimizes overgrowth of the gum tissue.
  • Reduces the amount of gum tissue surrounding your teeth.
  • Brushing the teeth and flossing between them will be more effective since after the procedure you will be able to reach these small areas more easily.

 

gingivectomy in Albania, affordable gingivectomy surgery

What is Gingivoplasty?

Different from gingivectomy, the aim of gingivoplasty is to improve the appearance of the gums. This procedure will result in a more harmonious shape and size of the teeth, giving you a more desirable look. Some of the main reasons why many patients decide to go with this procedure can be:

  • Correcting the look of the gums for aesthetic purposes.
  • Getting rid of excessive gum tissue.
  • Sometimes this treatment can be used as an initial step for other dental procedures. 

 

Benefits Of A Gingivoplasty

Gingivoplasty is another type of periodontal treatment that is used to remove a part of the gum tissue. During this procedure, the dentist can reshape the gums to create a more aesthetically pleasing look for the teeth. 

Different from gingivectomy this treatment won’t be used to treat periodontitis or gingivitis, rather it will make the gums look better and will reduce the appearance of a gummy smile which can be an issue for a lot of people. 

You can benefit from gingivoplasty if you want to correct the following:

  • Uneven gums.
  • If you want to reduce the appearance of your gummy smile.
  • Exposed tooth root. 
  • Loss of gum tissue between your teeth. 

 

Reasons Why Gingivoplasty May Be Necessary

The gingivoplasty procedure should be performed by a dental professional. The main purpose of this procedure will be to reshape the gums and give your teeth a better look.

In order to reach the desired look, they will cut the gums and surgically change their shape to expose the teeth more. After this step, they will provide a periodontal dressing that you will need to wear for at least one week after the treatment.

It is important to keep the mouth clean and free from bacteria during this period since the gums are sensitive. Also, it is important to be careful what you eat.

The most common reasons why people opt for Gingivoplasty include: 

To Create A More Attractive Smile

A gingivoplasty is a procedure frequently requested by patients to help create more aesthetically pleasing gums. This operation can greatly assist someone who believes that their gums cover up too much of their teeth or give them a “gummy smile.”

To reveal more of your teeth when you smile, our periodontists in Albania can carefully contour the gums. This treatment may also be performed to remove part of the additional gum tissue if the gums themselves are thick because of hyperplasia or hereditary problems.

After the procedure is done, the patient will likely experience a boost in self-esteem and feel much more comfortable smiling without awkwardness.

To Help Shape Gums That Have Been Grafted

Sometimes periodontal disease will cause irreversible damage to the gums if it is not treated at the right time. In order to rebuild the gums, gum grafts will be necessary. 

Not only will gum grafts provide an aesthetically pleasing look to your gums but they will also help protect the root of the teeth from additional damage. Even though this procedure will cover the gums perfectly, in some cases they can look odd.

In order to fix this additional treatments will be necessary and this is when gingivoplasty will come in handy. This procedure will carefully shape the newly grown gum tissue and give the desired look. 

After gingivoplasty, your gums will look much healthier and you will feel more comfortable while speaking and smiling. 

gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty in Albania, gum contour surgery in Albania

Key Differences Between Gingivectomy And Gingivoplasty

Although gingivoplasty and gingivectomy are both dental procedures aimed at treating the gums, they have several distinctions. In the following, we will outline some of these differences to help you understand them better.

Gingivectomy And Gingivoplasty: Differences In Results

Gingivoplasty Results

If the patient is looking to improve the appearance of their gums, gingivoplasty can reshape or reconture the gums. This procedure provides great results and that is why it is so popular for cosmetic purposes. 

Gingivectomy Results 

Gingivectomy on the other hand is considered a surgical treatment that will be necessary in cases when the patient needs a gum tissue removal for functional purposes. This being said this treatment is performed to reduce the size of unhealthy gum tissue. 

Gingivectomy And Gingivoplasty: Technique

Gingivoplasty Technique

The procedure of gingivoplasty includes the reshaping of the gum tissue in order to improve the appearance of your smile. This will create a more even look and make your teeth look longer. 

Generally, this procedure does not aim to remove excessive amounts of gum tissue, it is just recommended to slightly change the contour of it. 

Gingivectomy Technique

On the other hand, gingivectomy is a surgical procedure that is used to remove excessive gum tissue that is either infected or covers a lot of the tooth’s surface. This procedure is divided into two main types, traditional and laser gingivectomy. 

While both these types offer the same results the technique differs. In traditional gingivectomy, the dentist will use a scalpel to remove the gums, while in laser gingivectomy, the laser will be needed to reduce the size of the gums. 

Gingivectomy And Gingivoplasty: Purpose

Gingivoplasty Purpose

The aim of gingivoplasty is to treat aesthetic issues. This is the reason why many patients who have gummy smiles or uneven gum lines choose it.

Gingivectomy Purpose

Gingivectomy may be advised in situations when it is required to remove unhealthy or infected gum tissue, such as in cases of gum disease (periodontitis). Additionally, when teeth are overly covered by gum tissue, this procedure might help expose more of the teeth.

Gingivectomy And Gingivoplasty Differences In Recovery

Gingivoplasty Recovery

The recovery period after gingivoplasty will be relatively short. It will take about two days to return back to normal and the patients won’t feel any unmanageable pain or discomfort. In order to help you recover, the dentist will provide you with the right aftercare recommendations.

Gingivectomy Recovery

Gingivectomy recovery time may be longer than gingivoplasty recovery time because of its more invasive nature. Most patients who will take proper care of their teeth and keep them clean will recover fully in a matter of weeks. 

To encourage a faster and proper recovery, your dentist will offer specific aftercare recommendations that you should carefully follow.

Gingivectomy And Gingivoplasty Differences In Benefits

Gingivoplasty Benefits

For those looking to improve their gum appearance and make their teeth look better, gingivoplasty will be the right procedure. Another benefit is that this treatment will be painless and the results will be quick. 

Gingivectomy Benefits

Gingivectomy also has a lot of benefits when it comes to oral health. This will be the only treatment that will help you treat gum disease while also removing unhealthy gum tissue. 

This way you will promote healthier gums and reduce the recurrence of infections. Additionally, after the procedure, you don’t need to worry about tooth loss anymore and other oral health issues. 

Gingivoplasty procedure, gum line surgery in Albania

Gingivectomy And Gingivoplasty Differences In Procedure

Gingivoplasty Procedure

During gingivoplasty, the dentist will aim to reshape the appearance of the gums and give you the perfect smile. In order for you to feel as comfortable as possible during the procedure they will use local anesthetic. 

The gums will be reshaped with a laser or a surgical knife. Ideally, not a lot of tissue should be removed in order to keep the gums looking healthy and natural. 

Gingivectomy Procedure

Gingivectomy, on the other hand, is mostly required for aesthetic purposes. The first step will be the administration of local anesthesia in order for the area to be totally numb.

Once the patient is totally numb they will continue removing the extra or damaged gum tissue that is causing discomfort. After this step is done the gums will be contoured to fit the teeth and offer a natural appearance. 

If a traditional gingivectomy is performed, the dentist will use sutures to close the wound and promote healing. However, if a laser gingivectomy is used, sutures are typically not necessary.  

Gingivectomy And Gingivoplasty FAQs

Is The Gingivectomy Procedure Painful?

If you are worried that a gingivectomy is painful, you will be relieved to find out that it is not. This procedure will be done under the effect of local anesthesia so you won’t feel anything during it. 

However, when it comes to the recovery process, you can feel a little bit of discomfort and pain but it can easily be managed. It is very important to follow the dentist’s aftercare advice and take proper care of your mouth. 

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Gingivectomy And Gingivoplasty?

The recovery period after gingivectomy will take about one or more weeks, but this will depend on the extent of the surgery. On the other hand recovery from gingivoplasty will take less time, as most patients will have completely healed in one week.

Can These Two Procedures Be Combined Together?

Both these procedures can be combined together when it is needed. In this case, gingivectomy will remove the damaged gum tissue, and after this gingivoplasty will reshape them and improve your smile. 

What Are The Risks Associated With Gingivectomy?

Gingivectomy is a low-risk procedure but if anything goes wrong you can experience bleeding, infection, high sensitivity, and swelling along the gum line. You can reduce the chance of these risks by choosing the right dental clinic and periodontist. 

What Are The Risks Related To Gingivoplasty?

When it comes to the risks related to gingivoplasty, they will be very similar to gingivectomy. With proper care and maintaining the right oral hygiene, you can avoid these risks from happening. 

Are The Results Of Gingivoplasty Permanent?

After you go through with gingivoplasty, the results will be permanent so you won’t need any additional treatments for your gums. In order to keep them healthy and avoid additional issues in the future, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene and have regular check-ups with the dentist. 

How Should I Care For My Gums After Gingivoplasty And Gingivectomy?

After the procedure is done our periodontist here at City Dental Clinic in Albania will provide you with the aftercare instructions. It is important to follow them carefully and to use the right products. 

Can I Go Back To Work After The Procedure?

Since this procedure is not considered highly invasive you can return to work within two days or earlier. This will depend on the extent of the surgery and how you feel. It is very important to take enough time to rest and to recover. 

Table of Contents