Indications and Benefits of Gingivectomy
- Reduction of pocket depths in patients with periodontitis and suprabony pockets
- Conventional gingivectomy is more successful than non-surgical treatments for reducing pocket depths and inflammation
- Removal of suprabony deep pockets allows better visibility and access for calculus removal
- Provides a suitable environment for healing and restoration of gingival contour
- Effective in treating drug-induced gingival enlargement
- Indicated when overgrowth is severe
- Used to treat gingival fibromatosis with good aesthetic results
- Can increase clinical crown height in teeth with inadequate tissue for prosthetic restorations
- Surgical treatment resets the margin while maintaining biological width and clinical attachment
- Can improve aesthetics and restore normal gingival architecture in gummy smiles
- Laser gingivectomy has additional benefits such as reducing bacteria and inflammation, minimal pain, sterilizing infected root surfaces, and minimal post-operative swelling, bleeding, scar tissue formation, and pain

Contraindications and Post-operative Management
- Bone surgery is needed in certain cases
- Aesthetic considerations, particularly in the anterior region of the Maxilla
- Dental/gingival morphologic characteristics and peri-oral variables influence smile frame
- Higher smile lines are more common among females, lower smile patterns among males
- Adequate plaque control and post-operative infection control are important for long-term results
- Regular professional tooth cleaning and visits for monitoring plaque levels are advised
- Electrosurgery can be used for gingivectomy but is not widely used due to cost and lack of information available

Laser Gingivectomy
- Laser types: Nd:YAG (Neodymium: Yttrium Aluminium Garnet) laser, Diode laser
- Laser treatment has good patient acceptance and minimal pain
- Laser treatment sterilizes infected root surfaces and removes plaque, calculus, and smear layer
- Laser treatment results in minimal post-operative swelling, bleeding, scar tissue formation, and pain
- Efficient sterilization of infected root surfaces and pocket microflora
- Curettage of adjacent pocket epithelium
- Removal of smear layer
- Enhanced calculus elimination
- Nd:YAG laser application showed better wound healing response compared to scalpel incisions
- Low energy and frequency parameters lead to better wound healing
- High levels of energy can cause scar formation and delayed wound healing
- Laser treatment allows for a bloodless operating field, better visibility, and ease for the operator
- Laser treatment eliminates the need for post-surgical dressing
- Laser gingivectomy resulted in minimal or eliminated recurrence of drug-induced gingival overgrowth compared to scalpel gingivectomy
- Laser treatment is effective in achieving periodontal health and reattachment of gingival tissues to previously infected root surfaces
- Laser treatment provides better visibility and ease for the operator
- Laser treatment sterilizes tissues and eliminates the need for post-surgical dressing

Comparison to Other Gingivectomy Methods
- Laser treatment is more effective than conventional treatment in achieving periodontal health and reattachment of gingival tissues to previously infected root surfaces
- Conventional treatment does not completely remove plaque and calculus
- Laser treatment provides better visibility and ease for the operator
- Laser treatment sterilizes tissues and eliminates the need for post-surgical dressing

References (not included in the summary)