Many dogs respond to inflammation and bacteria in the mouth with gum recession or loss of gum tissue but some dogs seem to respond with overgrowth of the tissue. If this condition is not addressed it can lead to excessive bacteria and calculus build up in the pockets with resulting periodontal disease and pain and eventual tooth loss.
Treatment involves trimming back the excessive tissue to create normal pocket depth on each tooth. Gingivoplasty is performed under general anesthesia and will be combined with full mouth dental xrays, full oral exam, and cleaning of the teeth. Dental xrays are important to look to see what is going on underneath the gum tissue and determine if there is associated periodontal disease. Nerve blocks are performed prior to surgery to ensure your pet stays comfortable during and after surgery. If a medication is thought to be the cause of the hyperplasia, it may be discontinued if possible. In genetically predisposed animals, this condition typically does recur so biannual to annual exams are necessary to treat any reoccurrence of overgrowth. Homecare and biannual to annual dental cleanings under anesthesia can also significantly reduce tartar and plaque build-up and prevent inflammation which can be associated with the gingival overgrowth.
Below is a Boxer with a case of gingival hyperplasia and periodontal disease.
In this case, the hyperplasia had been going on for so long that here was some significant periodontal disease and a few teeth did require extraction. Below are the post surgical pictures demonstrating a disease free mouth.
After surgery, your pet will be on pain medications for about a week to reduce pain and inflammation. Your pet will need to be on a soft diet to prevent irritation to the gum tissue while it is healing. We also recommend using an Elizabethan collar to prevent your pet from rubbing at the surgical site. We will encourage a daily homecare dental regimen at home to try and reduce tartar, plaque, and inflammation in the future, as these may contribute to gingival hyperplasia. Daily brushing is the best form of homecare but alternatives such as daily dental chews and water additives can be helpful as well.