Gum contouring is a cosmetic procedure that can help you achieve a more balanced gum line. It involves using a dental scalpel or a precision laser to remove excess gum tissue. The laser option is less invasive and more comfortable for patients.
韓国ホワイトニングPeriodontists and general dentists can perform this surgery. You’ll receive local anesthesia so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. However, you might experience some tenderness afterward.
Benefits
If you’re self-conscious of an uneven gum line or gummy smile, gum contouring is a minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry procedure that removes excess tissue. This allows the teeth to take center stage and improves a smile’s symmetry.
Heredity plays a significant role in gum line shape, but this is not the only reason your dentist may recommend this procedure. Some medications have a side effect that causes the gum tissue to thicken and expand over the teeth, hiding them from view. Gum recession is another common cause of an uneven gum line. When this happens, the gums pull back and expose more of the roots, causing some teeth to look longer than others.
Dental lasers have become the preferred tool for performing gum reshaping because of their superior performance and ease of use. Unlike scalpels, these instruments emit a light beam that cauterizes tissue upon impact, which minimizes bleeding and accelerates healing time. This technology is also useful for reducing discomfort during treatment.
Our dentists use this technique to help patients feel comfortable and confident in their smile. We can improve a smile’s appearance with this minor surgery, and we often perform it in conjunction with other restorative procedures, such as porcelain veneers or dental crowns. Our team will consider your unique needs when recommending this procedure.
Procedure
Gum contouring, sometimes called tissue sculpting, is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that fixes an uneven gum line. The process is done by a dentist or periodontist who uses a scalpel or laser to remove excess gum tissue and restore the proper length of the crown. The gums are numb prior to the surgery, so patients won’t feel any pain during the treatment.
A common issue is for the gums to rest too low or high on a patient’s teeth. This can make the smile look unbalanced and may lead to sensitivity or discomfort. The cause is often due to genetics or a side effect of certain prescription drugs.
When performed by an experienced doctor, this procedure is safe and relatively quick. The recovery period is a few days to a week and involves some swelling and tenderness. However, most of the time patients can ease the discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses. A healthy diet is recommended to reduce the risk of infection, so patients are advised to avoid consuming foods with seeds and hard textures until their gums heal.
Since gum contouring is typically done for cosmetic reasons, it’s usually an elective procedure that’s not medically necessary. For this reason, dental insurance won’t cover the cost. However, if the gum reshaping is a result of periodontal disease, then the procedure is considered a health-related one and dental coverage might cover part of the cost.
Recovery
Gum reshaping is relatively painless, but the procedure will leave you with sore and swollen gums for a few days or even weeks depending on the extent of the work. Taking it easy after the procedure, eating soft foods, and applying a cold compress can help reduce pain and swelling. You can also take an over the counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You should avoid aspirin, however, as it can thin the blood and increase bleeding during recovery.
Brushing and flossing gently is recommended after the procedure to keep the area clean, but you should refrain from scrubbing the gum tissue. Rinsing with a salt water solution several times a day can also reduce infection. You should also avoid spicy, acidic or crunchy foods until your gums are fully healed.
You may experience scabbing, which is normal and should not affect the final results. If you experience excessive bleeding, a fever, or any other abnormal symptoms, contact the dentist. It is also important to follow your dentist’s dietary and cleaning instructions after the procedure. These tips will help you enjoy a quick and successful recovery from gum contouring surgery. You can also schedule a follow up appointment with the dentist to make sure that you’re healing as expected.
Cost
A person’s gum line can affect the way they smile. This is because when the gum tissue looks too large it exposes more of a person’s teeth. This can be a result of a genetic condition, health issue, or the use of certain medications. It is also possible that a person’s permanent teeth have not fully erupted. Whatever the reason may be for an uneven gum structure, a cosmetic dentist can help with gum contouring. This procedure is often performed with a scalpel or a dental laser. Both tools will numb the area before cutting. The laser is advantageous because it cauterizes the tissue upon removal minimizing blood loss.
After the doctor numbs the area with the laser or scalpel they will begin to remove the excess gum tissue. Then they will reshape the gum line to expose more of the tooth. This procedure can take 1 to 2 hours. Sutures may be used to secure the tissue in place.
Gum reshaping is considered a cosmetic procedure but is often done in conjunction with procedures to clean out periodontal (gum) disease. This can increase the cost of the procedure. A patient can shop around for providers that offer this procedure at a price they can afford. Gum contouring can improve the appearance of a person’s smile and boost their self-confidence.