---
title: "What Is Gingivectomy? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A gingivectomy is the surgical removal of gum tissue. It is used for some forms of gum disease and for reshaping the gums."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gingivectomy
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Procedures

# Gingivectomy

A gingivectomy is the surgical removal of gum tissue. It is used for some forms of gum disease and for reshaping the gums.

Gingivectomy is the surgical removal of gum tissue. The ADA defines it as the excision, or cutting away, of gingiva. It is used to treat some forms of gum disease, such as removing excess or overgrown gum tissue. It can also improve a gummy smile, when extra gum makes the teeth look short.

Your surgeon uses a scalpel or laser. It takes about a week to recover. A related procedure, gingivoplasty, reshapes the gumline. See [gum contouring](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gum-contouring).

Gingivectomy is different from [crown lengthening](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/crown-lengthening), which also reshapes bone. It is also different from a [gum graft](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gum-graft), which adds tissue. Your dentist can talk with you about whether it fits your case after an exam.

## Related terms

-   [Gum contouring](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gum-contouring)
-   [Crown lengthening](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/crown-lengthening)
-   [Gum graft](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gum-graft)
-   [Periodontal pocket](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/periodontal-pocket)
-   [Gums (gingiva)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gums-gingiva)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: Gingivectomy: Procedure & Recovery](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24749-gingivectomy)
2.  [American Dental Association: Glossary of Dental Terms](https://www.ada.org/publications/cdt/glossary-dental-terms)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)