Gingivoplasty

Gingivoplasty helps to solve several common problems with the gums and smile. It allows you to correct uneven or asymmetrical gums, raise or reduce their height if they cover too many teeth or, conversely, expose their necks. The procedure is also useful after injuries, inflammatory processes or periodontal diseases – this way you can restore the natural shape of the gums and protect your teeth from further problems. In addition, gingivoplasty improves the aesthetics of the smile, makes it more harmonious, and thanks to the even edges of the gums, it is easier to care for your teeth, which has a positive effect on the overall health of the oral cavity.

There are several main types of gum contouring, and each is chosen depending on the specific problem that requires correction and the goals the patient wishes to achieve.

• Gingivectomy — this is the removal of excess tissue, i.e., gum trimming. This method is used if the gums are too prominent or uneven, partially covering the teeth or creating a so-called “gummy smile.” After the procedure, the teeth become more exposed, and the smile looks more natural.
• Gingivoplasty — the shaping of the correct gum contour without removing a large amount of tissue. It helps align the gum line and make the smile more harmonious. It is often used for minor aesthetic corrections or to achieve a smoother gum margin before prosthodontics or crown placement.
• Gum grafting (gum augmentation) — used when the gums do not sufficiently cover the teeth or when there are defects after injuries, inflammatory processes, or periodontal diseases. The tissue can be taken from the patient (autograft) or a special artificial material can be used and suturing it to the required area. This allows for restoring the natural shape of the gums and protecting the teeth from further problems.
• Combined methods — a combination of removal, shaping, and augmentation of gum tissue to achieve the most aesthetic and functional result. This approach is often used in complex cases when several problems need to be corrected simultaneously.

After gingivoplasty, it is crucial to properly care for the oral cavity to ensure the gums heal quickly and the result is maximized.

• Do not touch the gums with your hands or tongue — this helps prevent trauma and infection.
• Light food and room-temperature liquids — in the first few days, it is better to avoid hot, spicy, and hard foods.
• Careful hygiene — brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush, avoiding the sutured area; you can rinse with antiseptic solutions recommended by your doctor.
• Quit smoking and give up alcohol — these delay healing and increase the risk of complications.
• Monitor the condition of the gums — if severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or an unpleasant odor occurs, be sure to consult your dentist.
• Follow-up appointment — after the procedure, the doctor usually schedules a follow-up visit to evaluate healing and remove sutures, if necessary.

Sources:

• Oral health – World Health Organization (WHO) – WHO (2025). An official WHO report confirms that oral diseases affect around 3.7 billion people, with untreated tooth decay and periodontal diseases being the most common.
• Localized periodontitis; Treatment protocol – Ministry of Health of Ukraine (2004). An official treatment protocol for periodontitis, approved by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, which regulates the standards for diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases, including surgical methods.
• Modified gingivoplasty for hereditary gingival fibromatosis: two clinical cases
• Gingivectomy and gingivoplasty for gum augmentation
• Gingivoplasty, gingivectomy, and osseous surgery