Where is the incision placed for a gingivectomy procedure?

Gingivectomy removes the entire pocket wall (excess gingival tissue) to eliminate the periodontal pocket and expose the tooth for instrumentation. The incision is placed: Coronal to the BASE of the pocket (to ensure the entire pocket wall is excised); At a 45-degree EXTERNAL BEVEL directed apically toward the tooth surface; Through the outer surface of the pocket wall, from the gingival margin toward the base of the pocket. Key requirements: Adequate attached gingiva must remain after excision (minimum 3-4 mm); Gingivectomy CANNOT be performed if the pocket base extends to or beyond the mucogingival junction — a periodontal flap is required in that case. Indications: suprabony pockets, drug-induced gingival enlargement, fibrous hyperplasia. NOT indicated for infrabony defects or when bone recontouring is needed.