Hate Your Gummy Smile? Try Gum Contouring
Overview of the Gum Contouring Procedure
Cosmetic dentistry provides a wide range of treatments to help patients achieve the smile of their dreams. Gum contouring is one example that lets patients correct the appearance of a gummy smile that just shows too much gum line and not enough tooth.
We’ll walk you through the complete procedure—before and after, along with what to expect during the procedure.
Before Gum Contouring
The gum contouring procedure reshapes the gum line to reduce its appearance in your smile. Most of the time, it’s a purely cosmetic procedure that lets you achieve a more aesthetic smile and the self-confidence that comes with it.
The procedure is also sometimes carried out for medical purposes. Individuals with gum disease may require gum contouring, particularly when reshaping the look of their gums after pocket reduction surgery.
If you’re concerned about the appearance of your smile, you can reach out to your dentist for a consultation. You’ll be able to discuss your concerns about your smile, and the dentist will provide you with a range of treatment options. Many different cosmetic procedures can improve your smile, and gum contouring could be one of them.
When discussing gum contouring, your dentist will go over the details of the procedure and what to expect. They can also use a special pen to mark where the new gum line will be to give you an idea of what your results will look like.
Gum contouring is a relatively simple procedure that will be carried out at your dentist’s office. There aren’t any special preparations for you to take ahead of time. This simple, safe, and effective procedure can change the appearance of your smile for the better.
During Gum Contouring
Because gum contouring is a minor procedure, your dentist can carry it out in their office. A periodontist (gum specialist) can also carry out this type of procedure.
There aren’t many requirements for gum contouring before and after the procedure itself. Immediately before the procedure, you’ll be given a local anesthetic so that you won’t feel anything as the dentist reshapes your gums. This is the same type of anesthesia you get when having a cavity filled.
From there, the dentist will start to reshape your gums. They do this by carefully removing the excess gum tissue to sculpt a more appealing gum line.
The entire process is quick and painless. Most gum contouring treatments take between one and two hours to complete, depending on how much reshaping is required for your specific case. In some cases, sutures are required to hold the gums in place as they heal after the procedure.
After Your Contouring Procedure
Your dentist will give you all of the details you need to care for your gums after your gum contouring procedure. Downtime is minimal with this type of procedure, with the gums generally completely healed in a week or two.
For the most part, patients have to follow any special requirements only for the first two or three days after the procedure. The most important is to eat only soft foods to avoid disturbing your healing gums. These foods can include soup, applesauce, and yogurt. Your dentist will fill you in on specific dietary instructions.
After the procedure, you’ll have a follow-up appointment to ensure that the gums are healing properly and there aren’t any issues. This is generally within a week of the treatment itself.
Patients can experience some pain and swelling during the healing process. Over-the-counter pain medications can help relieve that pain; however, aspirin should be avoided because it may cause bleeding during the healing process.
To reduce the risk of infection, many dentists will prescribe an antibiotic mouthwash for use during the healing process. Patients should also watch for bleeding, discharge, or excessive swelling of the gums and contact their dentist if they notice any of these symptoms.
Gum contouring is a permanent solution, so the results that the treatment delivers last your entire life. You’ll have the smile you’ve always wanted and all of the confidence that comes with it.
Gum contouring delivers results that our patients love.
The team at Valley Dental Clinic has helped so many patients achieve happy and healthy smiles with gum contouring and other artistic dentistry procedures. We’re always happy to hear about how a patient’s new smile has given them more confidence in their everyday life.
If you’d like a consultation about your smile with the best cosmetic dentist in Wasilla, contact Valley Dental Clinic today.