Laser Soft Tissue Applications 1

SOFT TISSUE PROCEDURES INCLUDING PULPAL TISSUES
• Excisional and incisional biopsies
• Exposure of unerupted teeth
• Fibroma removal - A benign tumor that consists of fibrous tissue.
• Flap preparation – incision of soft tissue to prepare a flap and expose the bone.
• Flap preparation – incision of soft tissue to prepare a flap and expose unerupted teeth (hard and soft tissue impactions)
• Frenectomy and frenotomy
• Gingival troughing for crown impressions
• Gingivectomy
• Gingivoplasty
• Gingival incision and excision
• Hemostasis - The stoppage of blood flow through a blood vessel or body part.

Gingivectomy

Gingivectomy is a form of gum surgery. It is best described as the surgical removal of gingiva. Healthy gums are an important part of a person's general oral hygiene and appearance. Sometimes in certain people the gums can grow and build up over the front surface of a tooth. This formation of extra gum can change the balance between the length of the teeth and the height of the gum line, leading in some cases to a person having a bad smile.

A gingivectomy is a type of minor surgery that involves the removal of a small amount of gum tissue around a tooth or teeth. A gingivectomy can be performed to correct a poor smile or maybe needed to be done to remove a diseased tooth, or allow a filling to be placed.

Performing a gingivectomy is quick and relatively painless. Firstly a local anesthetic is applied to completely numb the area of the gums. A small incision is made and the excess gum tissue is removed using a dental tool. A periodontal dressing covers the teeth and gums post-surgery to protect them while fully healing. This takes a few weeks, but after that the gum is completely free of pain.

_____________________________________________________________

Gingivoplasty

Gingivoplasty is the surgical reshaping of the outer surface of the gums and it's usually done in combination with gingivectomy. The term comes from gingiva meaning gums and the word ending -plasty meaning to reshape. Many patients have a gummy smile which is caused by excessive and overgrown gum tissue. Excess gum tissue can usually be removed to reveal a beautiful smile underneath.

After a gingivectomy procedure, the gingivoplasty procedure thins the remaining gums tissue so the tissue looks natural and pleasing. It's done this using an electrosurgery unit and a specially designed electrical cutting tip. The electrosurgery unit uses electricity to cut the gum tissues and at the same time, causes the gum tissues to clot and stop bleeding.

Gingivoplasty corrects the remaining thick and unnaturally shaped gum tissue left after the gingivectomy procedure exposes the hidden teeth. Natural gum tissue thins as it approaches and surrounds teeth. It can get confusing because the two procedures are almost always used at the same time. These procedures can also be used to reshape irregularly shaped and unattractive gums.

Gingivoplasty and gingivectomy procedures are usually done with local anaesthetics. The electrosurgery equipment minimizes bleeding and most patients experience very little post operative pain after the procedure.

_______________________________________________________________

Frenectomy

PRE-OP
A patient presented with an excessively thick frenum which was causing recession. Plus, the patient also requested that their anterior teeth appear longer and more natural.

INTRA-OP
The OPUS 5 is a versatile instrument, and can sculpt and shape soft tissue and perform bloodless frenectomies with no anesthetic.

ONE-WEEK POST-OP
One week after treatment,the surgical sites have healed without incident and the patient's anterior teeth are visibly more aesthetic.

>> NEXT SECTION - LASER SOFT TISSUE APPLICATIONS 2

>> Back to Top

>>Click here to visit our Smiles Gallery of Cosmetic Treatments