Daily brushing and flossing, along with regular visits to the dentist, will help keep your teeth healthy and strong. But good oral hygiene isn’t just for your teeth—it also keeps your gums healthy. Regular oral exams give your dentist the chance to detect gum disease in its early stages and treat it before it progresses.

When you skip your dental visits for too long, untreated gum disease can leave you with infected and damaged gums that require surgery.
 

Reasons for Gum Surgery

Gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, can usually be treated by a dentist. Periodontitis is an advanced form of gingivitis that leads to inflammation and damaged bone and tissue. Periodontitis usually requires a visit to a gum doctor, known as a periodontist, and treatment may involve gum surgery. Periodontal surgery can regrow damaged bones and tissues, prevent tooth loss, reduce gum gaps between the teeth, and reshape the jawbone to eliminate bacterial growth.

However, gum disease is not the only reason for gum surgery. Some patients opt for cosmetic gum surgery, such as when their gums cover too much of their teeth, a condition known as a “gummy smile.”

Types of Gum Surgery

The type of gum surgery you need depends on the severity of your gum disease and the specific damage it has done or the type of cosmetic results you desire. Types of gum surgery include:

 

1. Gingival Flap Surgery

Gums are separated from the teeth for deep cleaning, then stitched back into place around the teeth. Bone reshaping is sometimes required during the surgery.
 

2. Gingivectomy

Excess and overgrown gum tissue is removed to improve aesthetics and to make it easier to keep the surface of the teeth clean.
 

3. Gingivoplasty

Healthy gum tissue is reshaped for a more appealing aesthetic, sometimes in combination with a gum graft.
 

4. Gum Graft

The tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth and stitched into place on either side of a tooth that is exposed due to gums that are receding. This helps even the gum line and reduces sensitivity.
 

5. Gum Regeneration

Gum tissue is folded back and bacteria are removed. The surgeon inserts bone grafts, membranes, or tissue-stimulating proteins to help the gum tissues regenerate around the teeth.
 

What to Expect During Gum Surgery

Before most types of gum surgery begin, the periodontist will thoroughly clean your teeth and apply a local anesthetic to numb the area. In some cases, a general anesthetic may also be needed. If you require a deep clean beneath the surface of the gums, the periodontist will make small incisions along the gum line, and lift the gums away from the teeth to clean even deeper and remove any tartar, plaque, or infected tissue.
 

Finally, the periodontist will perform the specific procedure you need, then stitch your gums back in place. Your periodontist will be able to give you more information on the particulars of your procedure, how to prepare for it and how long it will take.  

What to Expect During Recovery
 

Recovery times for periodontal surgery will depend on the type of procedure, but most periodontists will schedule a follow-up within 1 to 2 weeks. During the recovery period, you will need to use an antiseptic mouthwash to keep your mouth clean and avoid infection. Your surgeon might also prescribe a round of antibiotics.
 

For the first few days after surgery, you may be instructed to eat soft foods and avoid strenuous exercise. You should also avoid smoking during the entire recovery process.
 

The type of gum surgery you need depends on the severity of your gum disease and the specific damage it has done, or the type of cosmetic results you desire.

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