frenectomy, gummy smile correction, frenulectomy, vestibuloplasty, fiberotomy, gingivoplasty, gingivectomy, gummy smile correction

The frenum (or frenulum) is a thin band of tissue that connects the inside of your upper lip to your gums. A frenectomy is the surgical removal of this tissue.

What is frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting the frenum, tissue that attaches your upper lip to your gums or the inside of your upper lip to the gums. This procedure can help patients with a gummy smile or mouth breathing problems. The procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis with general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Your surgeon will make a small incision inside your upper lip and then remove the excess tissue. In some cases, excess skin may be removed to create a more symmetrical appearance.

After the surgery is complete, patients may experience swelling, pain, and discomfort for the first few days. Patients should limit their activity and avoid eating hard foods until the symptoms subside. Most patients can return to work the following week.

- Dr. Scott A. Herrin, DMD

To schedule your appointment with Dr. Scott A. Herrin, please call our office at (937) 278-9921. Located in Dayton, we serve residents throughout Ohio including Centerville, Englewood, Springboro, Kettering, Beavercreek, Cincinnati, and beyond.

Gingivectomy explained

A gingivectomy is a procedure to remove excess gum tissue to correct a gummy smile or for aesthetic purposes. If a tooth is too short, extra tissue can be present around the crown. Removing this extra tissue gives the tooth a more uniform appearance.

The dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area before removing the excess gum and sculpting the gums for a more attractive look. This technique is also used when a dentist needs to expose more of the tooth’s surface in order to place a restoration such as a dental crown.

Patients may experience some discomfort in the treated area after the procedure. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Patients may also notice a pink tinge on the gum line that can persist for a few weeks after surgery. Over time, this will fade as the gums heal and the surgical site heals.

During a consultation at our practice, we can determine if a gingivectomy is the right treatment for you. If a gingivectomy is recommended, we can create a customized treatment plan to meet your needs and goals. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a consultation.

Dental Crown Lengthening – Procedure in One Visit

Gum reshaping – Overview

Before & After

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for gingivectomy?

A gingivectomy is typically performed on patients who have too much gum tissue covering their teeth. The procedure is also often performed prior to the placement of a crown to improve access to the tooth.

Does it hurt?

This procedure is performed using a local anesthetic so there is little to no pain involved during the surgery itself. However, patients may feel sore afterward for a few days due to the anesthetic wearing off. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to

What are frenuloplasty and vestibuloplasty?

Frenuloplasty is the removal of gum tissue from the visible part of the upper jaw in order to expose the teeth and improve their appearance. This procedure is often performed together with orthodontics to improve the results. With this procedure, a dentist or periodontist can correct a “gummy” smile by helping the patient’s lips to pull back away from the gums to reveal more of the teeth. The edges of the gum that are cut away during a frenectomy may be stitched together to promote healing and prevent the area from bleeding after the surgery.

Another procedure that may be performed to correct the exposure of the roots of the teeth is the vestibuloplasty. During this procedure, some of the tissue in the throat area is removed to help patients fully close their mouths when they are at rest. By doing this, the profile of the patient’s face can be improved since there will not be any hanging skin around the the sides of the mouth when the mouth is closed. Patients choosing to have vestibuloplasty are often those who have obstructive sleep apnea or other concerns with their sleeping habits. These surgeries are typically performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia but can be more invasive than a typical frenectomy if other portions of the soft palate need to be removed as well to correct snoring problems.

Both frenectomies and vestibuloplasties are minimally-invasive procedures that are usually able to be completed within one office visit. However, patients should avoid chewing on food or brushing their teeth in the area of the mouth where the surgery was performed for a few days after surgery to prevent discomfort.

A dentist can choose to refer a patient to a periodontist or oral surgeon to perform these procedures since the training and experience of these specialists makes them better able to treat soft tissue issues in the mouth.

Author: Kayla Matthews

Date: May 29