gingivectomy gingivectomy gingivectomy is a dental procedure in which a dentist or oral surgeon cuts away part of the gums in the mouth (the gingiva). gingivectomymeshd005890 it is the oldest surgical approach in periodontal therapy and is usually done for improvement of aesthetics or prognosis of teeth. by removing the pocket wall, gingivectomy provides visibility and accessibility for complete calculus removal and thorough smoothing of the roots, creating a favourable environment for gingival healing and restoration of a physiologic gingival contour. the procedure may also be carried out so that access to sub-gingival caries or crown margins is allowed. a common aesthetic reason for gingivectomy is a gummy smile due to gingival overgrowth. indications elimination of suprabony fibrous and firm pockets gingivectomy is the primary treatment method available in reducing the pocket depths of patients with periodontitis and suprabony pockets. in a retrospective comparison between different treatment approach to periodontitis management based on the initial and final gingival health, conventional gingivectomy was proven to be more successful in reducing pocket depths and inflammation compared to non-surgical treatments in pockets measured 3mm or more. removal of suprabony deep pockets will allow better visibility and access for the removal of calculus. as a result, this provides a suitable environment for the healing of the gingiva and the physiological contour of the gingiva to be restored. elimination of gingival enlargement in cases of gingival enlargement induced by drugs, surgical treatment through a gingivectomy proved to be effective with most patients showing no clinical sign of recurrence after one year. even though it is the most frequent method of treatment, it is only indicated when overgrowth is severe. another cause of gingival enlargement would be a hereditary condition known as gingival fibromatosis. the extensive overgrowth of gingival tissue is usually treated with a gingivectomy, as it produces good aesthetic results. however, recurrence in these cases are unpredictable. this means that those affected face the possibility of undergoing repeated procedures. sub-gingival margins a gingivectomy can also be done to increase the clinical crown height of teeth. this is suitable in treatment planning for teeth with inadequate tissue for retention of prosthetic restorations as a result of subgingival carious lesions or coronal fractures. surgical treatment resets the margin while maintaining the biological width and clinical attachment. gummy smiles up to 3mm of gingival display when smiling is described to be cosmetically acceptable. gummy smiles are often used to describe smiles where there is more than 3mm of gingival tissue seen clinically and is usually deemed unaesthetic to the individual. similar to subgingival crevices margins, gingivectomy to increase the crown height can be performed to provide better aesthetics and normal gingival architecture. contraindications need for bone surgery