The two biggest components of your smile include your teeth and gums. Regular brushing, flossing, and trips to the dentist should be utilized to maintain good oral health. Failure to do so can result in infected gum tissue and tooth decay. If your dental health isn’t taken seriously, you may experience the loss of your teeth, nerve damage in your jaw, and other serious consequences.
When it comes to treatment and prevention, your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend a gingivectomy or crown lengthening. Though they both target the teeth and gums and are used to actively treat gum disease, they are two different procedures. If you are unsure of which treatment you may need or which would be the better option for the betterment of your oral health, a qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group can help.
What Is a Gingivectomy?
Gingiva, also known as gum tissue, can be taken care of through daily brushing and flossing. When these habits are not properly maintained, however, you leave your gums susceptible to gingivitis or periodontitis, both of which are gum diseases. Both are easily treatable but depend on quick treatment. Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth rot, bone rot, and permanent nerve damage. One of the oldest known ways to treat and prevent gum disease is a gingivectomy.
This is the process of surgically removing the infected gum. This allows the healthy gum and teeth underneath to remain unaffected. The healing process is fairly short and the results are permanent. Your surgeon will typically use a sedative to help numb the area before removing the infected gum and suturing the remaining tissue. The area will be cleaned with a saline rinse and you may also be given antibiotics to reduce risk of infection.
What Is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is done to expose more of the tooth to fit a crown. The process is similar to a gingivectomy in that gum tissue is removed or contoured. However, for a crown lengthening, the surgeon may also need to contour the bone to properly fit the crown. Once the crown lengthening is over, you may be properly fitted for a crown to replace the broken or chipped tooth.
Like a gingivectomy, you may also receive a crown lengthening for aesthetic reasons. Those with “gummy” smiles may have their gum tissue and bone contoured to fit a higher ratio of tooth to gum. As with any surgical procedure, it is imperative to closely follow your surgeon’s post-procedure directions to avoid risk of infection. Most crown lengthening procedures will result in sutures that will need to be carefully monitored and taken care of.
Get a Professional Opinion and Assessment Today
Though both procedures are similar, it’s important to speak with a professional before making any big decisions. The team of experts at Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group has devoted their careers to the oral care of the New Jersey community. We are here to help talk you through the most beneficial course of action for your health. With state-of-the-art technology and extensive training in minimally-invasive surgical techniques, we are proud to offer a quick and painless procedure experience for all of our clients.
Our people-first approach sees us guide you through every step of the process, from the initial consultation all the way through to the end when you are recovering. We will even help ensure you get the most out of your insurance reimbursement. To begin the process today and speak to a qualified oral surgeon about your oral health options, please give us a call at (908) 663-5309 or fill out our contact form.
