Gum Surgery

Recommended For Gum Surgery

Gum surgery is recommended for patients suffering from periodontal disease or patients dissatisfied with the look of their gums. 

Not Recommended For Gum Surgery

Gum surgery is not recommended for patients with mobile teeth or teeth with infected roots. Patients with fractured or broken teeth should postpone this procedure until they resolve their issue through another treatment. The patient’s medical history will be reviewed thoroughly before undergoing this procedure in order to see if gum surgery is a solution.

Overview

Gum Surgery is a broad and common dentistry procedure used to treat, reduce, or enhance a patient's gums. Gum surgery should be performed by highly trained doctors with plenty of experience in order to achieve the best, long-lasting, results. Gum surgery can refer to different types of procedures, depending on the technique used and the goal of the procedure itself. The most common gum surgery procedures include:

• Pinhole Gum Surgery
• Gum Graft Surgery
• Gingivectomy
• Gingivoplasty
• Gingival Flap Surgery

Preparation

Dental X-rays will be necessary in order to assess the patient's teeth, teeth, roots, and gum tissue. In some cases, endodontic treatment may be necessary before the gums can be properly treated.

How It Is Performed

Nearly all gum surgery procedures are performed under general anesthesia. The type of procedure applied is heavily dependent on the patient's condition and overall desired results. Here are the most common gum surgeries available for patients:

Gingivectomy Surgery

This procedure refers to the reduction of a patient’s excess gum tissue. Gum tissue is sometimes likely to grow too much and cover too much of the tooth, making teeth cleaning difficult. The procedure begins with a periodontist first numbing the area with a local anesthetic. The doctor will then proceed to excise the excess gum tissue, which will be later discarded. Gingivectomy surgery makes the teeth more aesthetically appealing by making them more visible as well as easier to clean. Most patients will opt for this procedure for aesthetic reasons rather than functional.

Gingivoplasty Surgery

Gingivoplasty surgery is a type of gum surgery that is performed for aesthetic reasons. This procedure implies the careful reshaping of the patient's gum tissue for a more aesthetic result. The procedure is usually performed to correct any deformities of the patient's gums.

Gum Graft Surgery

Gum graft surgery or gum tissue graft surgery is an operation recommended to patients with a receding gum line. Gum recession is a common condition in which the gum tissue which surrounds a tooth gets smaller and smaller, eventually exposing the root of the tooth. This condition can lead to tooth loss and even bone loss if left untreated.
There are three main types of gum tissue graft surgery:  Connective tissue graft surgery – this type of gum surgery uses a graft created from the tissue found beneath the roof of the mouth, also known as a palate. 
Free gingival graft surgery – this type of gum surgery is very similar to connective tissue graft surgery. 
Pedicle graft surgery – this type of gum surgery uses tissue from adjacent areas to correct the receding gum line. 

Gingival Flap Surgery

Gingival flap surgery is a type of surgery used to treat periodontal disease or the so-called periodontal pocket. The periodontal pocket is actually an accumulation of bacteria directly under the patient's gumline. Gingival flap surgery starts with administering local anesthetic in the affected region. The doctor will then proceed to separate the gum tissue from the teeth. Once that's done, the doctor will begin cleaning all plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the area. The tooth's roots may also be smoothed as a preventive measure.

Pinhole Gum Surgery

Pinhole gum surgery is a relatively new type of gum surgery. This procedure is non-invasive and does not require sutures, incisions, or gum grafts. The procedure is performed by creating pinholes in the patient's gum tissue. Special instruments are then inserted through the pinholes to loosen the patient's gum tissue and move it to the desired position. As the last step, collagen is pushed through the pinholes to stick the gums into their new position during the healing phase.

Recovery

Most patients return to work the next day after the surgery. There are special guidelines which need to be followed for the next 2 weeks following gum surgery. These guidelines relate to physical activities, diet, and medications.

Risks

Risks and complications associated with gum surgery can include: 

● Severe pain 
● Infection 
● Excessive bleeding 
● Surgery revision 

Side Effects

Gum surgery side effects may include: 

● Bleeding 
● Pain 
● Swelling gums 
● Discomfort while chewing 
● Hypersensitivity 

Success Rates

The average gum surgery success rate is around 85%. 

Before And After

Patients will need to maintain good oral hygiene practices following the surgery. Brushing is not advised in the treatment area. Regular checkups are recommended after the procedure is performed. 

Faq

– Does gum surgery hurt?  Not at all – local anesthesia is used, making it painless. Only 4.6% of patients report severe pain following gum surgery. 

– When will I lose my hypersensitivity? 
Your teeth will become less sensitive over a few weeks from the gum surgery. 

– When can I resume sports? 
You can resume sports after the incision is healed, in around 2 weeks. 

Back To Work

1 day

Back To Sports

2 weeks

Extra Content

This content is written and reviewed by our medical content team in September, 2019.