Gingivectomy is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the gum is excised: either tissue damaged by infection or healthy tissue that is in excess and covers more of the tooth than it should. This is an outpatient and relatively simple procedure performed under local anaesthesia right in the clinic, without hospitalisation. Gingivectomy has two main objectives: to eliminate periodontal pockets that no longer respond to professional cleaning and are destroying the supporting bone tissue of the tooth, or to correct a gummy smile — when more gum is visible upon smiling than the proportional teeth would require. At Corona Dental, in Barcelona, we explain when each of these two procedures is indicated, how gingivectomy differs from the better-known gingivoplasty, and how much the treatment costs.
What is gingivectomy and what is it for
Gingivectomy consists of removing a specific area of gum tissue with a specific goal: to reduce the depth of a periodontal pocket or to increase the visible portion of the tooth if the gum covers more surface than it should. By itself, this is not an aesthetic procedure, although it is often combined with another — gingivoplasty — to finally give the gum contour a harmonious shape after the excess tissue has been removed.
Periodontal gingivectomy: when the gum can no longer be cured by cleaning alone
When dental plaque accumulates under the gum for a long time, a periodontal pocket forms — a space between the tooth and the gum that, from a certain depth onward (more than 3 millimetres), can no longer be cleaned by routine scaling and root planing. If such a pocket continues to enlarge, the infection spreads to the bone holding the tooth, and this bone may begin to be destroyed — and the process is irreversible. Gingivectomy directly removes the diseased tissue from the pocket wall, reduces its depth, and allows the patient to properly clean this area again during daily hygiene.
Aesthetic gingivectomy: when the smile shows too much gum
Some people have anatomically completely healthy teeth, but they look "short" because the gum covers more of the tooth surface than it should — this is called a gummy smile. In such cases, gingivectomy removes this excess healthy tissue to lengthen the visible clinical crown of the tooth — a procedure also referred to as crown lengthening — without affecting either the bone or the root. The result is a smile with a better proportion between tooth size and visible gum.
Gingivectomy and gingivoplasty: they are not the same thing
These two terms are often confused because they are usually applied within the same operation, but their clinical goals are different. Gingivectomy removes tissue — for medical reasons, to treat a periodontal pocket, or for aesthetic reasons, to increase the visible portion of the tooth. Gingivoplasty, on the other hand, does not remove healthy tissue: it only reshapes the contour of an already healthy gum to achieve a more symmetrical and harmonious line — usually as a final step after gingivectomy or periodontal treatment.
| Gingivectomy |
Gingivoplasty |
| Removes diseased or excess gum tissue |
Reshapes the contour without removing healthy tissue |
| Indicated for periodontal pockets or pronounced gummy smile |
Minor aesthetic correction without an active pocket |
| Often requires sutures for a larger wound |
Sutures are rarely needed |
| Combined with scaling and root planing |
Usually performed after gingivectomy |
How the procedure is performed
At the first appointment, the dentist measures the depth of the pockets with a periodontal probe and determines which procedure is indicated — therapeutic, aesthetic, or both at once. If the case is aesthetic, the final gum contour is planned first to achieve symmetry with the adjacent teeth. The surgery is performed under local anaesthesia: the dentist removes the required tissue area with a scalpel or diode laser and places sutures if the wound requires it. Complete gum healing takes between two and four weeks, although initial swelling subsides within the first few days.
Post-procedure care
After gingivectomy, a soft diet is usually recommended for the first few days, avoiding excessively hot, hard, or spicy foods that may irritate the surgical area. The dentist typically prescribes chlorhexidine rinses to keep the area free of plaque during healing, since direct toothbrushing over the wound may be uncomfortable in the early days. Smoking significantly slows healing and increases the risk of infection, so it should be avoided during the postoperative period.
Cost of gingivectomy in Barcelona
The price of gingivectomy in Barcelona depends on the number of teeth requiring treatment and the complexity of the case. As a market reference, the cost per tooth usually ranges from €150 to €400, while more extensive treatment — several teeth or an entire jaw — may exceed €500. Most clinics, including ours, offer a free initial diagnostic consultation, during which the gum condition is assessed and a detailed quote is provided before treatment begins.
Frequently asked questions about gingivectomy
Is gingivectomy painful?
During the procedure itself — no, because it is performed under local anaesthesia. In the following hours, mild to moderate discomfort may occur, which is usually relieved with over‑the‑counter painkillers. For patients with anxiety about surgical procedures, conscious sedation is available.
How long does recovery take?
Initial swelling subsides within the first three to five days. Complete gum healing, until it regains its final appearance and texture, takes on average two to four weeks.
Are the results permanent?
Yes, provided that good oral hygiene is maintained and there are no factors that could cause tissue regrowth — for example, certain medications or a genetic predisposition to gingival hypertrophy. In the case of periodontal gingivectomy, regular check‑ups are also necessary to prevent recurrence of the disease.
Can gingivectomy be done solely for aesthetic reasons?
Yes. This is the most common solution for correcting a gummy smile, even when there is no underlying periodontal problem. In such cases, the procedure is usually complemented with gingivoplasty to fine‑tune the contour.
When can I return to a normal diet?
A soft diet is recommended for the first five to seven days. From the first week onward, depending on how healing progresses, harder foods can gradually be reintroduced.
Is this the same as crown lengthening?
The concepts are closely related but are not exact synonyms. Crown lengthening is the goal: to expose more of the tooth surface. Gingivectomy is one of the techniques used to achieve it, removing only gum tissue. If the problem is not only in the gum and bone also needs to be removed to expose enough healthy tooth structure, the procedure is complemented with a minor bone procedure — then it is referred to as crown lengthening with osteotomy. Which option is needed is determined by the dentist after examination at the first appointment.
