Gingivectomy is a type of periodontal surgery that involved the total removal of gum tissues or gingiva from in and around the teeth. Gum tissues can be very thick and large, covering the surface of the teeth and making them look short. It helps to treat this by removing excess gum tissues.
Having thick gum tissues is not necessarily a medical condition roving excess gum tissue could be for cosmetic reasons -to modify a smile. However, when these gum tissues begin to cause a periodontal disease known as gum disease, the procedure may become necessary. Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support and hold the teeth in place. When this disease becomes advanced, it can not be treated with scaling and root planing, gingivectomy is then performed to treat the condition.
The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that about 47.2% of Americans aged over 30 are suffering from periodontal disease, and for such as gum disease, gingivectomy is one of the few treatments that can counter the adverse effects of the disease.
WHO CAN BE A CANDIDATE FOR GINGIVECTOMY?
Your dentist may recommend gingivectomy if your gum is receding due to any of the following:
- Aging
- Gum injury
- Bacterial infections
- Gingivitis (a condition characterized by the formation of plaque-causing bacterial)
GINGIVECTOMY FOR GUM DISEASE
Gum disease often created openings at the bottom of the teeth and this could lead to a build-up of plaque, bacteria, or tarter. When this build-up occurs, it can lead to further dental damage.Your dentist may recommend this procedure to prevent any further damage and also allow easy access to your teeth for cleaning.
GINGIVECTOMY FOR COSMETIC
Getting the procedure done for cosmetic reasons is completely optional, although many dentists do not recommend it.However, talk with your dentist and understand the pros and cons of getting a procedure for cosmetic reasons.
What Are The Procedures In Gingivectomy
The procedure generally takes about an hour but could be more or less, depending on how many teeth require their gum tissues to be removed.The procedure for gingivectomy goes this way:
1. It begins with your dentist numbing the area that requires gum removal by injecting local anesthesia into the gums.
2. Using a scalpel or laser tool, your dentist cuts off pieces of your gum tissues. This is called a soft tissue incision.
3. After the tissues have been cut off, your dentist will likely use a laser tool to vaporize the remaining tissue and shape your gum line.
4. To protect your gums while they heal, your dentist will put a soft putty-like substance and bandage on the operated area.
During the procedure, your dentist may put a suction tool in your mouth to remove excess saliva.
GINGIVECTOMY AFTERCARE
There isn’t much required as aftercare for a gingivectomy procedure. Most patients can return to their normal oral care routine in less than a month. However, routine checkups (every 3 months) with your dentist are essential, to ensure the success of the surgery.
Also, change the bandage that was used after the procedure, and consequently, at least for a few days after the procedure, until you are certain that the bleeding has stopped or until your dentists instruct you to. Only eat soft foods for a few days after the procedure and use warm salt water to rinse your mouth at least 3 times daily to remove bacteria and debris.
WHAT IS THE COST OF GINGIVECTOMY?
If gingivectomy is an option to treat periodontal diseases or a mouth injury, it could likely be covered by insurance, but if it is for cosmetic reasons then it probably won’t be covered by insurance.
The cost for the procedure differs depending on how much work needs to be done and how many sessions it will take to complete the procedure. However, it could cost about $209-$400 per tooth. Some dentists may charge less for multiple teeth, usually up to 3 done in a single session.
Gingivectomy Recovery Time
Give it a week after the procedure had been done, you should start recovering. However, here is what to expect while recovering:
1. In the first few hours after the procedure, you may not feel any pain because of the anesthesia your dentist used, but when the effect of the anesthesia begins to what off, you will begin to feel a sharp or persistent pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen may help you manage the pain.
2. Your gums might bleed for a few days after the procedure. Your dentist should explain the procedures for changing the bandage that was put on your gum for protection, so you can change it until the bleeding stops.
3. During the next couple of days, your jaw may begin to hurt. Your dentist will likely tell you to eat only soft foods so that eating does not irritate your gums as they heal. Based on your dentist’s prescription, you may need to take antibiotics to help prevent gum infections.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
1. When bleeding does not stop.
2. When pain and soreness do not subside after about a week, even with home treatments like using cold compresses or using over-the-counter medications.
3. If you notice any pus or discharge from the operated gum.
4. Fever.
When you notice any of these signs during your recovery time, you should see your dentist right away.
LASER GINGIVECTOMY VS SCAPEL GINGIVECTOMY
With the advancement in technology, cheaper laser tools have been created, especially laser oral tools. These are more effective, precise, and faster than using scapel.Hence, laser gingivectomy heals faster due to cauterization, and also reduces the chances of inflammation and any further bleeding after the surgery, and also kills infected tissue and existing bacteria.
Because laser procedures require more training, it has become more expensive than scapel procedures and your health insurance plan might not be able to cover them. You best call your insurance provider before scheduling a laser gingivectomy, if not, a scapel gingivectomy may be more cost-effective.
GINGIVECTOMY VS GINGIVOPLASTY
Gingivoplasty is a dental procedure that is done to reshape the appearance of the gums and can be used to increase the length of the front teeth, for cosmetic reasons. It is also known by other names; Gum recontouring or gum contouring.Gingivoplasty can be done along with bone recontouring, to allow placing a crown if a tooth decays or breaks close to the gum line.
Both gingivectomy and gingivoplasty are dental procedures used in treating periodontal issues, in some cases, both procedures can be combined to treat a dental problem.The difference between the two is that while gingivectomy is used to remove gum tissues, gingivoplasty is used to reshape the gums to improve their functions such as preventing cavities and improving your ability to chew food or change your appearance.
Gingivoplasty may cost you more than gingivectomy, with the price ranging between $600-$2,000 or above.
DO GUMS GROW BACK AFTER GINGIVECTOMY?
No. The result of gingivectomy is long-term, so your gums will not grow back after gingivectomy.
CAN YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER GINGIVECTOMY?
Brushing your teeth after the surgery can irritate your gums and cause you to bleed more, and might even infect them. Do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth on the day of the surgery, your gums are still very tender. However, the day after the surgery, you could rinse with a solution of warm salt water every 6 hours, but do not brush. You may begin to brush your teeth two days after the procedure, but be careful when brushing around the area of extraction.
CAN YOU GET GINGIVECTOMY WITH BRACES
The answer is both yes and no. According to a study published in International Scholarly Research Notice (2017), “orthodontic treatment is possible only when the disease is brought under control his careful monitoring before, during, and after the active therapy”. It doesn’t say it is impossible to have braces if you have undergone gingivectomy, however, it recommends that the disease is controlled, that is, if you are to get braces, your gum disease must first be treated.
WHAT IS THE DENTAL CODE FOR GINGIVECTOMY?
Dental offices rely on outsourced dental billing services to submit claims with correct CDT codes that comply with payer guidelines to ensure that the claims are accurate.The teeth are divided into four sections. Let’s look at the CDT codes that describe gingivectomy procedures and when each code should be used.
- D4210 Gingivectomy or Gingivoplasty: four or more contagious teeth bounded spaces per quadrant.
- D4211 Gingivectomy or Gingivoplasty: one. or three contagious teeth bounded spaces per quadrant.
- D4212 Gingivectomy or Gingivoplasty: to allow access for restorative procedure per tooth.
- D4240 gingival flap procedure including root planning: Four or more contagious teeth bounded spaces per quadrant.
- D4241 gingival flap procedure including root planning: One to three contiguous teeth bounded spaces per quadrant.
- D4346 scaling in presence of generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation: Full mouth, after oral evaluation.
- D4921 gingival irrigation: Per quadrant.
- D7971 excision of per coronal gingival: Used when inflammatory or hypertrophied tissue is being removed on a partially erupted tooth.
SUMMARY
Gingivectomy is a low-cost, low-risk procedure done to help treat any periodontal disease or for cosmetic reasons. It is effective and recovery doesn’t take long.
REFERENCES
- Can Gums Grow Back After Gum Contouring Surgery? trusteddentalcare.com Date fetched: April 30, 2022
- What Is Gingivectomy? wmsmile.com Date fetched: April 30, 2022
- What To Expect From Gingivectomy. www.healthline.com Date fetched: April 20, 2022.