What is Gum Contouring?
If your gums rest too low or too high on your teeth resulting in an undesireable smile, you may be a candidate for gum contouring (Drs. Leal Spangler Johnson) surgery. This is also known as gum reshaping or tissue sculpting. The cosmetic dental procedure can adjust the gum line resulting in a confident smile. While this is most often considered to be a cosmetic surgery, it can also be done to treat periodontal disease.
UNEVEN GUM CAUSES
A variety of things can cause your gums to be too low or too high. Gums that cover a large amount of your tooth surface can make your teeth look small. This is also commonly called a “gummy” smile. A gummy smile can be the result of genetics, a specific health problem, or even specific prescription medications. Gums that are too high and make your teeth appear long are typically caused by gum recession. This is a condition where gum tissue pulls back from a tooth and exposes the root. Not only can gum recession make your teeth look long, it can also result in serious dental problems such as decay and tooth loss. Gum recession may also be a sign of the deterioration of gums and bone.
IS SURGERY NECESSARY
Gum contouring on its own is considered to be a cosmetic procedure. As a result, is not usually medically necessary. Most people reshaped their gums to improve the overall appearance of their smile. However, this surgery can be performed as part of other necessary periodontal procedures (crown lengthening, pocket reduction, and regenerative procedures). Receding gums leave the teeth exposed and vulnerable, while the pockets between teeth can be an ideal location for bacteria to accumulate. Periodontal gum reshaping removes these pockets and seals the tissue to prevent future problems. Gum reshaping procedures not considered cosmetic also include adding gum tissue when recession has occurred and trimming overgrown tissue that has covered part of the tooth crown.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Gum reshaping is conducted in a dental office. Dentists can use scalpels and lasers to perform the gum contouring procedure. The laser is used to recontour and then seal the tissue to create the ideal shape and prevent ongoing bleeding. The dentist can also use the laser to eradicate hollow pockets to prevent future infections. Ask your dentist which technique is best for your particular situation. Patients typically receive a mild local anesthetic to numb the gums, and the dentist will use a soft tissue laser to remove the excess gum tissue. Crown lengthening can also help with resolving a "gummy smile".
POST SURGERY TREATMENT
Recovery time following the procedure is often very brief but can take up to six weeks. After having your gums reshaped, it is critical to practice good dental hygiene. Daily brushing and flossing should be very gentle until the gums have completely healed to avoid irritating the sensitive tissue. If the gums are irritated, it could cause bleeding and an infection could develop. It is recommended to use a gentle, cleansing mouth rinse which kills most germs on contact without the burn of alcohol on sensitive gums. In addition to being gentle with oral care, hard and crunchy foods should also be avoided.
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