Gingivoplasty is a periodontal surgical procedure that reshapes and recontours the gingival tissue to establish a more physiologic form — without necessarily removing diseased tissue. Unlike a gingivectomy, which excises excess gingiva, gingivoplasty focuses on sculpting the remaining tissue to restore normal architecture and promote better oral hygiene.

Clinical Significance

Healthy gingiva has a distinct shape: a scalloped margin that follows the contour of the underlying alveolar bone, with knife-edged papillae filling the interdental spaces. When that contour is distorted — by disease, medication, or trauma — plaque accumulates more readily, accelerating periodontal breakdown. Gingivoplasty corrects these irregular contours, making the tissue easier to clean and more resistant to reinfection.

Common Indications

• Medication-induced gingival enlargement caused by calcium channel blockers or phenytoin
• Hereditary gingival fibromatosis, in which fibrous tissue progressively overgrows the teeth
• Irregular gingival margins following healing from periodontitis or soft-tissue trauma
• Cosmetic recontouring to correct a gummy smile when excess tissue obscures clinical crown length
• Post-gingivectomy refinement to smooth and shape tissue after the initial excision

Procedure and Recovery

Gingivoplasty is typically performed under local anesthesia using scalpel blades, electrosurgery, or dental lasers — the latter offering reduced intraoperative bleeding and faster soft-tissue healing. The clinician trims, bevels, and contours the gingiva to mimic the natural scalloped architecture that parallels the cementoenamel junction. A periodontal dressing may be placed to protect the surgical site during the first week of healing.

Recovery is generally straightforward. Patients can expect mild soreness and sensitivity for several days, with tissue maturation occurring over four to six weeks. Thorough plaque control during this period is essential, as regenerating sulcular epithelium remains vulnerable to re-inflammation.

When performed for appropriate indications, gingivoplasty is a predictable and versatile procedure that improves both the function and aesthetics of the periodontium — and its long-term success depends as much on the patient’s home care as on surgical technique.