110_ Gingivectomy_ Average Cost of a Gingivectomy_

Average Cost of a Gingivectomy?

The surgical removal of gum tissue is known as a gingivectomy. This procedure is used to treat gum disease or periodontal disease and can also be used for cosmetic reasons. Your dentist might recommend a gingivectomy if you have an overgrowth of gum tissue because of gum disease, injury or infection, or even aging, though there are multiple factors that can influence the appearance and proportions of the gum tissue. When a gingivectomy is necessary to treat injury in the oral cavity or infection from gum disease or periodontal disease, the treatment is often covered by dental insurance. When the procedure is formed for cosmetic reasons, however, it is unlikely to be included in insurance coverage, which is the case with nearly all elective, cosmetic dentistry procedures. The out-of-pocket cost of a gingivectomy depends on the amount of tissue being modified and the number of surgical sessions required; many dentists will charge less when multiple teeth are treated in a single session. Cost is also influenced by the type of anesthesia the patient selects. In general, the cost of a gingivectomy is around $200 to $400 per tooth.

When used as a cosmetic procedure, gingivectomy is often only recommended in low-risk situations as an alternative to more expensive, more invasive treatments like porcelain veneers or dental crowns. Your dentist can help you weigh the pros and cons of each different treatment option if you’re thinking about an elective gingivectomy or other similar cosmetic procedure. When used to treat gum disease, gingivectomy can stave off additional damage to the gums and help the dentist access the teeth for more thorough, effective cleaning. Gum disease is characterized by inflammation in the gums; when this tissue becomes inflamed and pulls away from the teeth, it creates pockets towards the roots of the teeth that can easily accumulate bacterial plaque and calcified tartar. These toxic accumulations easily lead to further damage of the gums, teeth, and other oral tissues, but reducing the depth of the pockets by lessening the overall amount and size of the gum tissue helps prevent additional damage and diminish the existing potential for disease and infection.

A gingivectomy usually takes anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour, though the duration of the procedure will depend on the amount of gum tissue being removed. If there is a significant amount of tissue that must be removed, or if the gum tissue requires extensive reshaping, several visits may be required, with adequate healing time allowed for each area before moving on to the next. After injecting a local anesthetic into the area to be treated, your dentist will remove excessive tissue and reshape remaining tissue with a scalpel or laser. When a scalpel is used, surgery includes stitches that are used to close incisions; with laser surgery, these incisions are cauterized during the procedure and stitches aren’t needed. After surgery, your dentist will bandage and protect the area so it can heal effectively. Laser gingivectomy treatments have grown more and more common as technology advances, providing precision and fast healing times with less risk of infection. Because these treatments require advanced technologies and additional training, however, laser gingivectomy treatments tend to cost more than traditional scalpel gingivectomies. In some cases, laser gingivectomies are less likely to be covered by insurance, so be sure to talk with your insurance provider as you plan your gingivectomy so you know what to expect on the financial front.