What is the surgical removal of diseased gingival tissue called?

The surgical removal of diseased gingival tissue is referred to as gingivectomy. This procedure involves excising the infected or unhealthy portions of the gum tissue to alleviate periodontal disease symptoms and restore the health of the surrounding gums. The main goal of a gingivectomy is to remove necrotic tissue and create a healthier gingival environment, promoting better overall oral health.

In contrast, gingival curettage involves scraping the gingival tissue to remove diseased areas, but it does not entail the same level of tissue removal as gingivectomy. Gingivoplasty, on the other hand, is a procedure aimed at reshaping or recontouring the gums, usually for cosmetic purposes, rather than removing diseased tissue. Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical deep cleaning procedure that focuses on removing plaque and calculus from below the gum line but does not involve surgical removal of tissue. Thus, the definition and intent behind gingivectomy aligns perfectly with the surgical removal of diseased gingival tissue.