What is a Gingivectomy?
Gum tissue provides a vital protective barrier for your teeth and jawbone. When there’s too much of it, however, you may want to have some of it removed. When what’s there is not healthy, you may need to have some of it removed. Either way, Dr. Jack O’Neill can assist you by performing a gingivectomy—a procedure during which he eliminates specific parts of your gums, or gingiva. A cosmetic gingivectomy is very effective in fixing gummy smiles, where excessive gum tissue dominates your mouth. After the procedure, your teeth will appear longer and your gums shorter, creating a more balanced and beautiful smile. If some of your gum tissue has become diseased to the extent that it cannot be treated, Dr. O’Neill will remove the unhealthy tissue. This will prevent the spread of the disease and future recurrence of infection. As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. O’Neill has a passion for restoring the health and beauty of your gums. See what he can do for you here in our Shreveport, LA office.
- How a Gingivectomy works
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Benefits of a Gingivectomy
- Healthier, more attractive smile
- Improved longer-term dental health
- Better teeth-to-gum ratio
- Increased confidence
Undergoing a Gingivectomy
After assessing your gums, Dr. O’Neill will have a member of our team schedule you for treatment. On the day of your appointment, he’ll numb the affected area before beginning the procedure. He’ll then make small incisions to loosen and remove the excess or diseased gum tissue. In the case of a gummy smile, he will carefully shape the gums around each tooth for a natural, uniform look as he removes the tissue. For gum disease treatment he is careful to only remove the diseased areas. During this process, he can also reduce the depth of any pockets that have formed between your teeth and gums due to gum disease, allowing the two to reattach. After a few weeks of soft foods and careful brushing, your gums will heal, and you’ll be able to enjoy a happy, healthy smile once again.
