Gum surgery, or periodontal surgery, is a procedure to treat the gingiva, the soft tissues of the mouth that surround the necks of a person’s teeth and support the bone. There are several different types of gum surgery procedures. They include:

• Crown lengthening. Removal of gum tissue and/or bone to expose more of the tooth. It is performed when there is not enough of the tooth exposed above the gum line to fit a prosthetic crown or other restoration over a decayed or otherwise damaged tooth.
  
  
• Gingival flap surgery. A procedure to temporarily separate the gums from the teeth giving the dentist access the roots of the teeth and their supporting bone. This access allows removal of inflamed tissue and removal of plaque and tartar. It is used primarily to treat moderate to severe cases of periodontal (gum) disease.
  
  
• Gingivectomy. Surgical removal of gum tissue. It is one of the procedures used to reduce gaps or pockets between the teeth and gums that trap food particles. It is also used to reduce excessive and overgrown gum tissue around the teeth, particularly in patients taking certain medications.
  
  
• Gingivoplasty. A procedure which involves surgically reshaping the soft tissue around a tooth to restore a more normal appearance and contour. It is used to treat gum tissue malformed due to genetic factors, disease or trauma.
  
  
• Soft-tissue graft. Procedure in which tissue is taken from the palate or other tissue source and added to an area where the gums have receded.

Gum surgery is generally performed by a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the gums and supporting bone. Patients may be asked to undergo a thorough cleaning of the teeth prior to the procedure. In nearly all gum surgeries, a local anesthetic is used to numb the gums so the patient feels little or no pain or discomfort during the surgery.

Following gum surgery, a special periodontal dressing is placed over the gums and left there for about 10 to 14 days. This acts as a bandage which protects and soothes the soft tissue making the patients feel more comfortable following surgery. Patients may receive prescriptions for pain medication and a mouthwash such as chlorhexidine (an antimicrobial agent) to prevent infection during the healing period.

Gum surgeries typically do not pose major risks to patients. Bleeding may occur initially but usually stops within 24 to 48 hours following these procedures. In very rare cases, infection may occur.