Gingivectomy.

The gingivectomy is the oldest surgical approach in periodontal therapy. During the centuries, the technique has been modified. Just at the middle of our century, gingivectomy was the most important surgical method in periodontal treatment. Indication for performance of the gingivectomy is the complete elimination of the periodontal pocket (gingival overgrowth/e.g. hyperplasia, subgingival caries, subgingivally located crown margins. The physiologic design of the free gingival margin by surgical means, gingivoplasty, must be taken under consideration. Depending on the long and painful healing for the patient, gingivectomy should be preserved for the indications above. Wherever possible, is recommended a flap procedure like the apically repositioned flap.