Gum tissue that has grown too thick, pulled away into deep pockets, or covers too much of your teeth can be hard to clean and easy to notice. A gingivectomy removes that excess or diseased tissue and reshapes the gumline, which may lower bacterial buildup and help your teeth look more evenly proportioned.
Empower Dental Group, Burbank – Coastland Dental performs gingivectomy as part of our Burbank periodontics services. Because our dentists practice as Super GPs, your gum care, follow-up cleanings, and any future restorations can stay with one familiar team. Our staff speaks English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and Armenian.
Whether your goal is easier cleaning, shallower pockets, or a smile that shows more tooth and less gum, we plan each case around your anatomy.
Patients from across Burbank and nearby neighborhoods visit our office. Call to request a consultation or book online.
During a gingivectomy, your dentist trims away a measured amount of gum tissue around one or more teeth. It is often paired with gingivoplasty, which smooths and sculpts the remaining tissue so the new gumline looks natural. The goal may be medical, cosmetic, or both.
When gum disease creates deep pockets, removing the loose tissue can make those spaces shallower and easier to keep clean. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research describes how plaque bacteria below the gumline can lead to inflamed, infected gums over time.
Digital smile design lets you preview the proposed gumline before any tissue is removed.
Soft-tissue laser options can help control bleeding during reshaping.
Digital X-rays confirm where the bone sits, so we know how much gum can be safely trimmed.
* This calculator provides an illustrative estimate by dividing the treatment cost by the selected number of months. It excludes interest and fees and is not a financing offer. Actual monthly payments may be higher.
* Financing is offered through independent third-party lenders. Approval, rates, fees, terms, and available repayment periods are determined by the respective provider. Contact our office or review the provider’s application for current options.
Most gingivectomies are completed in a single visit, and the length of the appointment depends on how many teeth are treated.
We measure pocket depths, check bone levels, and mark the planned gumline so you know what to expect.
The area is numbed for comfort. Oral, nitrous, and IV sedation are available if you feel nervous.
Excess or diseased gum is removed with a laser or fine instruments, then shaped to a smooth, natural edge.
A protective dressing may be placed, and you receive written aftercare steps. Gums typically settle over the following weeks.
The right gum treatment depends on why the gumline sits where it does. A gingivectomy may be suggested in situations like these.
Pockets that stay deep after scaling and root planing may benefit from removing the loose tissue.
Certain blood pressure, seizure, and transplant medications can make gums thicken over time.
When healthy teeth are partly hidden by gum, trimming the tissue can show their true size.
An even gumline can improve the final look of veneers, bonding, or new restorations on front teeth.
Some patients need more than soft tissue removed. A gingivectomy works on gum tissue only. When the bone sits too close to the edge of a tooth, a related procedure that also reshapes a small amount of supporting bone may be needed instead, and you can read about it on our Burbank periodontal procedure page. Your X-rays and measurements show which option fits your case.
Mild soreness for a few days is common. Rinse gently with warm salt water if instructed, stick to soft and cool foods, and avoid brushing the treated gums directly until we say it is safe. Most people resume normal routines quickly, while the gum tissue continues to mature over several weeks.
Your cost depends on the number of teeth treated and whether the procedure is done for gum health or for appearance. Insurance often treats a gingivectomy for periodontal disease differently from cosmetic reshaping. We accept all PPO plans in network, along with HSA and FSA. Financing through CareCredit, Affirm, HFD, Alphaeon, and Happen Bank can help spread out the remaining cost. Learn more on our financing and insurance page.
If you are also considering a cosmetic update, gum reshaping can be coordinated with smile makeover planning so every change works together.
Have questions about your gumline? Reach out to Empower Dental Group, Burbank – Coastland Dental to book a gingivectomy consultation.
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Let’s bring out the best in your smile—with the technology, experience, and care you deserve.
At Coastland Dental in Burbank, CA, advanced tools mean better care. By investing in the latest dental technology, we diagnose with greater accuracy, treat with more precision, and help you achieve a healthier, more beautiful smile—often with less discomfort along the way.
The treatment area is numbed first, so you should feel little during the procedure. Some tenderness afterward is normal and usually eases within a few days.
The gums often feel comfortable within about a week, while the tissue continues to firm and settle over the next several weeks.
They may. Removing extra gum tissue reveals more of each tooth, which many patients find gives a more balanced smile.
Some rebound can happen, especially if inflammation or medication-related overgrowth is not controlled. Good home care and regular visits help keep results stable.
A gingivectomy removes gum tissue, often to treat pockets or overgrowth. Gum contouring focuses on shaping the gumline for appearance. The two are frequently done together.
A soft-tissue laser may be used when it suits your case, since it can help control bleeding. Your dentist will explain the approach planned for you.
Choose soft, cool foods such as yogurt, eggs, and pasta for the first few days, and steer clear of spicy, crunchy, or piping hot meals until the gums settle.
Coverage depends on your plan and the reason for treatment. Procedures for gum disease are more likely to have benefits than purely cosmetic reshaping.
Bleeding gums, deep pockets noted at a cleaning, gums that cover much of your teeth, or an uneven gumline are all reasons to request an evaluation.
At Coastland Dental, we believe high-quality care should be accessible to every patient. To make treatment more affordable, we partner with trusted financing providers. Available plans, interest rates, and repayment terms vary by provider and are subject to approval. Contact our office or review the provider’s application for current options.
From implants and crowns to cosmetic treatments and smile makeovers, our financing options are designed to help you move forward with your care—without delay.
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At Coastland Dental, we stand behind the quality of our work with warranties tailored to your specific treatment. Our fixed hybrid prosthetics include a Lifetime Warranty, provided you maintain your recommended hygiene visits and ongoing care. For crowns and other fixed restorations, we offer a 5-year warranty as long as you keep up with regular exams, cleanings, and any dentist-recommended maintenance.
To stay eligible for warranty protection, you’ll need to complete all suggested maintenance at the intervals outlined by the provider or manufacturer. Failure to follow and document routine care could lead to reduced or voided coverage. Proof of service may be required if a claim is submitted.
