A gingivectomy is a periodontal surgery performed to treat severe cases of gum disease, also known as periodontitis, that do not respond to antibiotics or root planing alone. This procedure is necessary when the gums have pulled away from the teeth, creating deep pockets. Plaque and tartar often form in these pockets, causing gum disease. If the disease is left untreated, it progresses to the point that it damages the roots of the teeth and potentially leads to tooth loss. The gingivectomy procedure is designed to remove loose or diseased gum tissue in order to prevent such tooth loss.

In preparation for a gingivectomy, a local anaesthetic is applied to the gums. Ascalpel or laser is then used to remove the diseased gum tissue. This process may take up to an hour. Once the gum tissue has been removed, a periodontal dressing, something like a protective putty, is placed over the gums to protect them as they heal.

For a few days after the treatment, patients may experience temporary discomfort, which can be alleviated by the medication prescribed, and by the use of ice packs. Following a gingivectomy, it is important that patients follow postsurgical guidelines, including:

1. Eating bland soft foods.
2. Chewing on the other side of the mouth
3. Avoiding hot or iced beverages
4. Not using straws
5. Avoiding smoking and alcohol
6. Avoiding looking at or handling the affected area

Although complete recovery from the gingivectomy procedure may take as much as a few weeks to a few months, patients are not usually troubled by discomfort for long and can generally resume their activities soon after the anaesthetic wears off. The contour of the gums may change somewhat as a result of the surgery, so patients should be prepared for small changes in appearance.

As always, oral hygiene is important in maintaining dental and gum health. Fortunately, keeping the teeth and gums clean after the procedure should be easier than it was before. In most cases, a gingivectomy stops gum disease before any teeth are affected and, after treatment, the gums return to their normal healthy state.

Current surgical flap techniques are based on a sound understanding of wound healing and are therefore designed to enhance and maximize the body’s healing potential. Flap surgery is the most conservative and versatile way to treat periodontal pocketing. An internal surgical opening is used to access the affected gum tissues to create and raise a “flap” of gum tissue, similar to opening the flap of an envelope, aimed at the conservation of all healthy tissue. This approach allows:

1. Removal of inner diseased tissue lining the pockets. (This tissue is ulcerated, resulting in open sores within the gum tissues, which are chronically inflamed.)
2. Access to treat and clean root surfaces completely.
3. Regeneration of lost bone and periodontal ligament.
4. Intimate closure of the healthy tissues leaving no open wounds for rapid and comfortable healing.

Crown lengthening is a procedure that involves the removal of gum tissue, bone or both to expose more of a tooth’s structure. This treatment is required in cases where the tooth is broken at the gum line or if it is decayed. Sometimes, after your dentist removes the tooth decay, there isn’t enough tooth structure left above the gum line to support a crown (or even a large tooth filling). Without enough tooth structure to supportthem, ill-fitting crowns can cause chronic inflammation and irritation. In some cases, tooth decay may begin again under the crown, creating the need for further dental treatment.

Crown lengthening may also be used cosmetically to treat a “gummy smile.” When an unusually large amount of gum tissue shows around the upper teeth on smiling, crown lengthening procedure is done to expose more of your teeth, followed by sculpting your gum line to create the look you want. This minor surgery can be performed on one or several teeth or your entire gum line, depending on your specific needs.

The procedure involves making cuts to the tissues to pull the gum away from the tooth. This provides access to the roots of the teeth and the surrounding bone. In some cases, removing just a little gum tissue will do the trick. More often, the removal of some bone is also required.Once enough of the tooth’s structure is exposed,the area is washed with saline and the gums are stitched together.

The dentist will prescribe medication (if required) for managing pain. Proper oral hygiene routine must be followed by the patient, taking special care to avoid brushing the gums in the affected area.  About a week after the crown lengthening surgery, the stitches are removed and the gums are allowed to heal completely before fitting the final crown.

If you've noticed that your gums are swollen it may be a sign of an infected tooth.

Sometimes we can have inflamed gums after flossing or brushing too hard, this is different. The swollen gums will be tender and a bit painful to the touch and will remain swollen.

The darkening of the gums is a sign that the gums are decayed. If there is an infection and the tooth is dying, the gums will begin to decay.

This is a tell-tale sign that you may need a root canal.

The aligners treatment achieves optimal and accurate results in a short period of time. Treatment duration can be shorter compared to conventional fixed orthodontic treatment. Since aligners can be removed during eating, there are no food restrictions and you can have food of your choice during treatment. The amount of force delivered by aligners is calibrated, so treatment with aligners is painless.

Clear aligners are also recommended foruse after you complete your orthodontic treatment. These appliances help to maintain the results you want until your teeth have settled down and finished moving.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners are orthodontic devices that are a transparent, plastic form of dental braces used to adjust teeth.

Treatment begins with taking x-rays and photographs for diagnostic purposes, followed by capturing the patient's bite, teeth, and gums via a bite registration and polyvinyl siloxane impressions or an intra-oral digital scanner. The latter method has greatly increased in popularity in recent years as digital scanning technology has improved. The computerized model suggests stages between the current and desired teeth positions, and aligners are created for each stage. Each aligner is worn for 22 hours a day for one to two weeks.These slowly move the teeth into the position agreed between the orthodontist and the patient. Before starting the treatment, tooth-coloured small tags are placed on some teeth, which help in movement of these teeth. These are called as attachments. Patients are recalled in 2-3 months interval to review the progress of the treatment.

BENEFITS OF CLEAR ALIGNERS

TRANSPARENT The CLEAR ALIGNER splint is clear and transparent, almost invisible which enables youto talk and laugh without restrictions or impediment.

COMFORTABLEThe high-quality splint makes your mouth feel good. It is pleasantly smooth, with no poking braces or wires.

REMOVABLE You can take the aligners out at any time and put them in again quickly and easily, e.g., when eating or cleaning.

HYGIENIC You can easily keep the CLEAR ALIGNER clean, e.g., using toothpaste and tooth brush. Since the aligners can be removed during brushing, maintaining oral hygiene during aligners treatment is never difficult.

EFFECTIVE The aligners treatment achieves optimal and accurate results in a short period of time. Treatment duration can be shorter compared to conventional fixed orthodontic treatment.

AFFORDABLE In many cases, the therapy is more cost effective than other types of treatment for correcting the position of teeth.

NO FOOD RESTRICTIONS Since aligners can be removed before eating, there are no food restrictions and you can have any food of your choice during treatment.

LESS PAINFUL The amount of force delivered by aligners is calibrated, so treatment with aligners is painless.

A chipped or cracked tooth is a two-fold sign of a tooth that may need a root canal. For one, perhaps there was trauma on the tooth that created the chip or crack and has now caused inflamed or infected pulp. Secondly, the tooth may be so far decayed or infected that it is cracked or chipped from being dead. Either way, you'll need likely a root canal to try to save the remainder of the tooth.

If your gums are tender to the touch, or even without touch, you may have root canal pain. When at the dentist, be sure to mention your tender gums.