Aesthetic gingivectomy in Palma de Mallorca
Aesthetic gingivectomy is a minor procedure that trims and reshapes the gum line to reveal more of the tooth. It is the most common treatment for a gummy smile, when too much gum shows when you smile and the teeth look short or small.
At Clínicas Udemax we carry it out at Udemax Miramar and Emardental, in Palma, after a prior assessment to find out whether trimming the gum is enough or another treatment is needed. It is done under local anaesthetic, and your first visit is free.
Painless during the procedure
Usually a single procedure
For initial healing
First visit and assessment
Do you show a lot of gum when you smile? Book an appointment
We study your smile, measure the gum and bone and explain which treatment achieves the result you want.
Leave us your details and we will call you back within three hours.
What is aesthetic gingivectomy?
It is minor gum surgery. The excess gum covering the tooth is precisely removed and its edge is reshaped, known as gingivoplasty, so that the gum line is harmonious and symmetrical.
It is not a health problem in itself, but when the gum covers part of the tooth the smile loses its proportions, and many people avoid smiling. With a gingivectomy the teeth show their real size and the smile looks more balanced.
When is it recommended?
It may be suitable if:
- Too much gum shows when you smile.
- The teeth look short, square or small.
- The gum line is uneven or asymmetrical.
- The gums have enlarged, for example after orthodontic treatment.
- Before veneers or crowns, to improve the proportions of the tooth.
Causes of a gummy smile and how they are treated
The most important thing is to know why so much gum shows, because the treatment depends on it:
Altered passive eruption
The gum did not recede enough once the teeth had finished coming through and still covers part of the enamel. It is the most common cause and the one best solved with a gingivectomy or, if the bone is very close, with crown lengthening.
Crown lengtheningVertical maxillary excess
The upper jaw bone is longer than normal. A gingivectomy improves the smile, but the full solution usually requires orthodontics and orthognathic surgery.
Orthognathic surgeryWorn teeth
Clenching or grinding wears the teeth down and makes them shorter. Crown lengthening is combined with veneers or crowns, and a night guard to stop the wear.
Bruxism treatmentEnlarged gums
Inflammation from plaque, some medications or orthodontic treatment can make the gums grow. We treat the cause first and, if the excess remains, it is trimmed.
PeriodonticsHow is a gingivectomy carried out?
Assessment and design
We take photographs, measure the depth of the gum and, if needed, take X-rays to see where the bone is. From this we design the new gum line.
Procedure
Under local anaesthetic, we trim the excess gum and reshape its edge. If you are very anxious, at Udemax Miramar we can carry it out under conscious sedation with an anaesthetist.
Recovery
It is one of the oral surgeries with the easiest recovery. Any discomfort is managed with painkillers and the gum heals in one to two weeks.
Aftercare following a gingivectomy
For good healing:
- Take the painkillers we recommend if you feel any discomfort.
- For the first few days, eat soft, lukewarm foods and avoid hard, crunchy or very hot ones.
- Brush the area gently with the very soft surgical toothbrush we recommend, without disturbing the clot.
- Use the mouthwash we prescribe, if applicable.
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol while it heals.
- Call us if bleeding does not stop, there is a lot of swelling or pain gets worse.
Can the gum grow back?
If there was only excess gum and the bone is at the right distance from the tooth, the result is stable. But if the bone is too close to the edge of the tooth, trimming the gum alone is not enough: over time it tends to return to its original position.
In these cases we carry out crown lengthening, which also reshapes a little bone. That is why the prior assessment is so important: it tells us which technique you need for a lasting result.
Who will treat you
Gingivectomy is carried out by our periodontics and cosmetic dentistry team, who plan the result with you so that your gums and teeth are in harmony with your smile.
Where we carry out gingivectomy
We provide aesthetic gingivectomy at two of our clinics in Palma: Udemax Miramar and Emardental.
Cosmetic dentistry
Udemax Miramar
Outpatient department, Hospital Juaneda Miramar
Camí de la Vileta, 30 · 07011 Palma
- Monday to Thursday
- 9:00–13:00 · 16:00–20:00
- Friday
- 9:00–20:00
By car
Paid parking at the Hospital Juaneda Miramar car park, a one-minute walk away, plus street parking. There is also free parking on Camí de la Vileta, about a 10-minute walk away.
Go to the car parkBy bus
EMT bus routes 6, 8 and 29, stopping at "Policlínica", in front of the hospital.
View bus routeBy taxi
Taxi ranks at Camí de la Vileta, 51 and Carrer de Pasqual Ribot, 1.
Cosmetic dentistry
Emardental
Carrer d’Alfons el Magnànim, 2, ground floor
Bons Aires · 07004 Palma
- Monday to Thursday
- 9:00–13:00 · 16:00–20:00
- Friday
- 9:00–13:00
By car
Street parking and the Santa Pagesa underground pay car park (Carrer d’Ausiàs March, 26), a 4-minute walk away. There is also a pay car park at s’Escorxador, about a 5-minute walk away.
Go to the car parkBy bus
EMT bus routes 12, 20, 24 and 40, stopping at "Pl. d’Abú Yahya", "Alfons el Magnànim" or "31 de desembre".
View bus routeBy taxi
Taxi rank at Plaça d’Abú Yahya, 2.
Frequently asked questions about aesthetic gingivectomy
What is a gingivectomy?
It is minor gum surgery that removes excess gum covering the tooth. In aesthetic gingivectomy it is combined with gingivoplasty, which reshapes the gum line so it looks harmonious.
Is it surgery?
Yes, but minor: it is done at the clinic, under local anaesthetic, in a single session and without a hospital stay.
Does a gingivectomy hurt?
Not during the procedure, because it is done under local anaesthetic. Afterwards there may be mild discomfort for the first few days, which is managed with painkillers.
How long is the recovery?
Initial healing takes one to two weeks, and most people carry on as normal from the next day. The gum finishes settling over a few weeks.
When can I see the final result?
The improvement is visible from the start, but the final gum line is seen once healing is complete, after a few weeks.
Can it be done with a laser?
A gingivectomy can be carried out with a scalpel, electrosurgery or laser. What matters is the prior diagnosis and the design of the gum line; at your visit we explain which technique suits your case.
Does the gum grow back?
If the bone is at the right distance, the result is stable. If it is too close to the edge of the tooth, the gum tends to return and crown lengthening is the better option. We assess this beforehand.
How much does a gingivectomy cost in Palma?
It depends on the number of teeth and whether trimming the gum is enough or crown lengthening is needed. At your free first visit we give you a detailed quote, and you can finance your treatment.