Are There Different Types of Gum Surgery?
There are different types of gum surgery, depending on the purpose of the procedure. Some gum surgery procedures accomplish aesthetic goals, whereas others may be necessary to ensure good oral health in the long term. It is helpful to understand the different types of gum surgery, which we discuss in this review.
Different types of gum surgery
A gum graft procedure, gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, and gingivoplasty are the four main types of gum surgery. Each accomplishes a unique purpose and has a slightly different process. Some procedures, such as a gingivectomy, are primarily a cosmetic procedure, whereas others such as gingival flap surgery help with oral health. The types of dental professionals that may offer a gum graft procedure are an oral surgeon, cosmetic dentist, periodontist, and general dentist.
Gum graft procedure
A gum graft, which is also called a gingival graft, is a type of gum surgery that involves removing gum tissue from the palate and grafting it where the gums meet the teeth. It is often recommended after a gum recession has occurred. Gum recession can lead to a cosmetic concern as well as posing a threat to the long-term health of teeth.
The procedure often involves a local anesthetic, so patients typically do not feel any discomfort during treatment. However, there may be some discomfort once the sedative wears off and during the recovery period, which typically takes one to two weeks.
Gingival flap surgery
Gingival flap surgery, which is also called a flap procedure, involves separating the gums from teeth and pulling them back to access and clean the root of teeth. The dental professional may also reshape or repair damaged bone during the procedure, as well. The gums are then sewn back and gauze is placed to control bleeding. This is often done to treat periodontitis or during a deep dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar that may cause oral health complications in the future if not properly cleaned.
Gingivectomy (gum contouring)
A gingivectomy, also called gum contouring or gum reshaping, involves removing excess gums and exposing more of the tooth root. This is often done for cosmetic purposes, particularly to fix issues of a gummy smile or short teeth. A gingivectomy may also offer oral health benefits as well as make it easier to keep the root of the tooth clean through good oral hygiene
Gum regeneration
Gum regeneration is simpler than it may sound. It involves pulling back the gums, cleaning the tooth root and underneath the visible surface of gums and inserting regenerative membranes, bone grafts, and tissue-stimulating proteins to encourage the body to naturally grow bone and tissue in the affected region of the mouth. The recovery process is similar to that of gingival flap surgery and typically does not take more than two weeks.
Schedule a gum surgery consultation with our team
You can schedule a gum surgery consultation by calling our friendly and professional dental team today. We offer different types of gum surgery and can discuss your treatment goals and exactly how we can help during the initial visit, along with helping you make an informed decision about treatment.
Are you considering gum surgery in the Aventura area? Get more information at https://aventura.luvicdental.com.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Gum Surgery in Aventura, FL.
Related Posts
Understanding that oral surgery includes tooth extractions allows dental patients to recognize that extractions are serious dental treatments. General dentists often perform tooth extractions on their patients only when the tooth is no longer saveable. Therefore, a tooth replacement option must be chosen whenever a tooth is extracted.There are two different types of extractions: simple…
A cosmetic dentist often hears concerns about whitening discomfort and can explain why sensitivity sometimes increases during treatment. Whitening products lift stains by allowing active ingredients to move through enamel, which can temporarily irritate the tooth's inner structures. Understanding what causes sensitivity and how to reduce it helps patients pursue a brighter smile more comfortably.Whitening…
For optimal oral health, it is a general rule of thumb to receive professional teeth cleaning every six months. Some patients need even more frequent cleanings to maintain a healthy smile. Knowing the reasons why this would be necessary can help you make informed oral health decisions.Professional teeth cleaning is a foundational element of preventive…
Thinking about choosing implant-supported dentures to replace your missing teeth? This type of denture offers many benefits, which is why this denture choice has become so popular. However, properly caring for dentures supported by implants is necessary so they will last for many years.While there are many different types of denture choices to choose from,…