Your gums are as important as your teeth. However, most people fail to remember this and restrict their oral hygiene regime to brushing and flossing of teeth. This neglected gum care can cause serious problems, which after a point can only be treated with a gum surgery. Without surgical treatment, the gum disease can worsen and create problems for your teeth, mouth, and even the jawbone.

Gum surgery is usually performed to bring the gums back to their healthy state. With the help of gum surgery, the original shape of the gums can be restored, and all the excess bacteria-causing plaque can be removed. However, having said that, not all gum problems are to be resolved with a surgical procedure. Mild gum problems can also be treated with medications.

There are several types of surgical procedures that can be undertaken to fix gum problems. Depending on the severity of the gum disease, the dentist recommends the best-suited surgery. Read on to discover more about the different types of surgeries you can opt for to deal with issues with the gum.

• Gingivectomy
  This type of surgery was earlier done as a treatment for periodontal disease. In present times, it has become a very common cosmetic procedure. Gingivectomy is done when pockets are formed between teeth and gums. Food particles get trapped in these pockets and that can further trap bacteria and worsen the condition. Gingivectomy is also done to remove excess gum tissue around the teeth.
• Gingivoplasty
  This surgery is mostly used to reshape gums in order to give them a more natural look. With help of Gingivoplasty, asymmetrical and badly formed gums can be brought back to shape.
• Gingival flap surgery
  Gingival flap surgery is recommended to patients with moderate or advanced gum diseases. Routinely, two procedures–scaling and root planning—are done before the gingival flap surgery. During these two procedures, the dentist will try to remove all the infection from the gums. A Gingival flap surgery will only be performed if the preceding surgeries are unable to remove all the infection from the gums.
• Gum contouring
  The procedure called gum contouring is mostly done for cosmetic reasons. Patients with a condition known as a ‘gummy smile’ are often recommended this surgery. In this condition, the gums cover a large part of the teeth, thus making them appear shorter.
• Soft tissue graft
  Receding gums can often expose tooth roots, which can cause bone loss. A soft tissue graft is done to repair the damaged gum, which prevents further recession. To cover the exposed roots of a tooth, a gum graft can be used to develop a gum tissue. During this surgery, gum tissue from the patient’s palate or from another donor is used to cover the exposed root of the tooth. The procedure can also be done in order to reduce the sensitivity of the gums and to even out the gum line.