110_ Gingivectomy_ How Painful is a Gingivectomy_

How Painful is a Gingivectomy?

The gingivectomy procedure is performed with anesthesia, which means the procedure itself isn’t painful at all. Dentists use local anesthetic, injected into the gum tissue, to numb the area before performing surgery; this injection can cause some discomfort but shouldn’t be painful. If the patient chooses, the dentist might also use a sedative to help the patient relax before beginning the procedure. Once the drugs have gone into effect, the dentist will remove excess gum tissue with a scalpel or laser, finally reshaping the remaining gum tissue to create a natural, attractive appearance for the gum line. If necessary, the surgeon may also reshape the bone tissue that underlies certain areas of the gums by making small incisions in the gums. If scalpels are used, these incisions are stitched shut to staunch bleeding; stitches are not required when lasers are used. In most cases, a gingivectomy takes about thirty minutes and shouldn’t take more than an hour, though multiple teeth require more time and possibly more surgical sessions.

It’s normal to feel some level of soreness following a gingivectomy, though patients can expect to return to work or school within a day or two. Your dentist might prescribe pain medication; if not, they’ll recommend over-the-counter pain treatments like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. To keep the surgical sites clean and reduce bleeding, your dentist may also provide gauze to pack the area or to bite on; this gause should be changed out regularly as directed. Maintaining excellent oral health is an integral part of proper, expeditious recovery, but it’s important to avoid brushing or flossing at or near the surgical sites for the first several days after surgery. Instead, dentists recommend rinsing the mouth gently with warm saltwater, taking care not to dislodge any stitches that may have been placed.

While your dentist will provide specific aftercare instructions, it’s generally recommended to avoid vigorous exercise or strenuous activities for the first day or two after surgery, and it’s also a good idea to avoid bending deeply or carrying anything heavy. Dentists also recommend avoiding eating anything crunchy or hard, instead eating soft foods like yogurt, soup, or mashed potatoes, and eating spicy or acidic meals is also a bad idea, as these might aggravate the surgical sites. In general, it’s advisable to wait at least a few hours after surgery before consuming any food or drink, so that the anesthesia can wear off and bleeding can slow or stop. It’s also important to refrain from smoking following a gingivectomy, as smoking introduces harmful chemicals and toxins into the surgical sites and the suction motion can dislodge stitches and impede healing.

Make sure to schedule and attend follow-up appointments so your dentist can monitor your healing and address any issues that might arise. Adhering to their post-surgical recommendations will help you heal promptly and reduce the likelihood of any problems arising while helping to expedite your recovery and keep you pain-free. During the first one or two weeks after surgery, it’s normal to feel some discomfort, but this discomfort can usually be managed easily. After this initial healing phase, the overall healing time takes about six to eight weeks, though this will depend on a few different factors, including the breadth of surgery, the patient’s overall health, and the patient’s adherence to aftercare recommendations.