While showing a little extra gum tissue in your smile isn’t an oral health problem, you may feel a little self-conscious about it. Everyone’s smile is different, so some people show less gum tissue than average, some people show more, and some even have uneven gumlines. In any of these cases, a patient may be able to achieve a smile they can feel confident with through gum recontouring treatments from their dentist. Here’s a brief guide to how gum recontouring works and the benefits it can deliver.
How Does Gum Recontouring Work?
Dentists use gum recontouring to reshape or resculpt a gumline. If the patient shows too much gum tissue, they will do this by removing the excess gum tissue. If the patient’s gumline has receded, the dentist may be able to rebuild the gum tissue around the teeth. While this procedure isn’t usually medically necessary, it can sometimes be an effective way to address gum disease by removing infected tissues if non-surgical methods are not effective.
How Can Gum Recontouring Help?
Gum recontouring offers a range of cosmetic benefits such as:
Removing excess gum tissue
By safely removing some of the soft tissue covering the teeth, a dentist can reduce the appearance of the gums in a patient’s smile. This allows the teeth to show more prominently, creating a smile that is more visually pleasing to many people.
Correcting an uneven gumline
The gums of some people do not cover their teeth evenly, creating a jagged, asymmetrical gumline that many consider to be unsightly. By reshaping the gum tissue, a dentist can create an even gumline that helps the teeth to appear straighter and healthier.
Permanent results
Excessive gum tissue does not grow back after being removed. While you can expect the results of gum recontouring to last for life, you must also commit to proper oral hygiene to prevent gum disease that can cause permanent damage.
Extreme safety
Gum recontouring is one of the safest surgical procedures available. The risk of bleeding and infection is incredibly low as long as the patient is free of gum disease before receiving the procedure and keeps up with a proper oral hygiene regimen afterward.
Painless procedure
Before the procedure begins, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to render the process completely painless. While you can expect some numbness or tenderness afterward, this can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication or with a cold compress.
There’s no reason to let unsightly gum tissue stand in the way of achieving a smile you can be eager to show off. After a brief consultation, your dentist will be able to determine if you can be a good candidate for gum recontouring.
About the Author
Dr. David C. Parsons earned his dental doctorate at Baylor School of Dentistry and has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education courses. He is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association and the Kansas Dental Association. His office in Winfield, KS, offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as gum recontouring. To book your consultation for gum recontouring, contact his office online or dial (620) 221-0730.