Dentistry · Oral & Dental · Medium
Gingivectomy
Meaning: Surgical removal of excess or diseased gum tissue to reduce pocket depth or improve appearance.
In practice: She had a gingivectomy to remove overgrown gums caused by her phenytoin medication.
Word parts
- gingiv- means gum
- -ectomy means surgical removal
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related dentistry words.
Which word means: Minor surgical procedure to cut or remove a fold of tissue tethering the lip or tongue.
Answer: Frenectomy
Which word means: Developmental absence of one to five teeth, most commonly the upper lateral incisors or lower second premolars.
Answer: Hypodontia
Words like gingivectomy come up in the daily game
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