How Much Does Gum Contouring Cost?

Disease, genetics, a reaction to prescription medications or other issues can cause the gums to grow over the teeth, producing what some call a "gummy" smile. This causes the teeth to appear smaller than they actually are and look uneven or misshaped. Gum contouring winston salem nc or a gum lift removes damaged, uneven or excess gum tissue. In some scenarios, the procedure is followed by a gingivoplasty, or crown lengthening, which shapes and thins the gums to look more natural and fit better around the teeth.

Typical costs:

It can cost $50-$350 to remove and shape the gum around an individual tooth. The overall cost depends on the extent of the work required but can also vary depending on your location and the qualifications of the dentist performing the procedure. Gums which are overgrown or damaged is not usually limited to the area around a single tooth. The total costs for crown lengthening, or extensive reshaping that removes gum and bone from the visible teeth can be $1,000-$3,000 or more. In addition, gum contouring is typically considered to be a cosmetic procedure, and is not usually covered by dental insurance.

What should be included:

Both dentists and periodontists are able to perform gum contouring procedures. During the procedure, the doctor will typically use a local anesthetic to numb the area. In some cases, sedation can also be used but isn’t usually necessary. Once the area is numb, the dentist will use scalpels, lasers and/or radiosurgery tools to remove excess tissue and reshape the gums. In more extensive cases, crown lengthening procedures will be performed where the doctor also removes bone at the root of the tooth for improved results.

Most gum contouring surgical procedures are completed in a single appointment. In addition, the results are usually permanent. If only a small amount of gum tissue removal is needed, it can takes as little as 15 to 30 minutes. Recovery time following the procedure may be a few days but in some cases can take a few weeks. The crown lengthening procedure where both gum and bone tissue are removed can take one to two hours. The healing period for crown lengthening may take up to four to six weeks.

Additional costs and discounts:

Gum contouring is commonly done in combination with other cosmetic procedures such as veneers (which ranges from $500-$1,000+ per tooth), cosmetic dental bonding ($100-$1,000 per tooth) or crowns ($1,000-$3,000 per tooth). The gum reshaping may be included in the total fee for the related procedure(s). To ensure you understand the costs associated with the treatment, be sure to discuss with your dentist and ask for a breakdown of all fees incurred. Some dental school clinics offer reduced rates for the procedures performed by students who are supervised.

Insurance:

Because gum contouring is a cosmetic procedure, it is not typically covered by insurance. As a result, many dental or periodontal offices will provide financing options which may include a discount for paying the full amount, payment plans and loans from outside financial institutions.

More on Gum Contouring / Gummy Smile : Healing & Recovery After Gum Contouring