Table of contents
What Is Gum Contouring?
Gum contouring reshapes or recontours the gum line to create a more evenly balanced appearance. Some people have an uneven gum line, where the gum tissue is too low in certain areas and too high in others.
Other people can have a gummy smile. This occurs when an excess of gum tissue covers the teeth, making them appear too short. Recontouring the gums exposes more of the tooth underneath. Once the tissue is removed, the exposed teeth can be the ideal shape and size, creating a more uniformly attractive smile.
Gum reduction is typically completed using laser dentistry by a periodontist who specializes in this treatment. Our dental office is equipped with state-of-the-art dental lasers that can precisely and comfortably remove gum tissue, providing better results and faster healing.
At NYC Dentistry Center, we have three periodontists on our team, including Dr. Navid Rahmani, our principal dentist.
Who Is a Candidate for Gum Contouring?
Below are some situations where gum contouring can be useful.
Uneven Gum Line
You may wish to consider this treatment if you are concerned about an uneven gum line or have noticed that you expose too much gum tissue when smiling or talking.
A Gummy Smile
It is also worth considering whether your teeth appear too short, as there is a possibility that excess gum may be covering them. After cosmetic gum surgery, your teeth may be the right size and shape.
Crown Lengthening
If you break off a tooth near the gum line, there may not be enough tooth exposed to restore it with a crown. In this case, we may suggest crown lengthening. This gum cutting surgery exposes more of the tooth, allowing us to fit a crown successfully.
During crown lengthening, it might be necessary to reshape the bone around the tooth to uncover it successfully. Our advanced dental lasers can gently and precisely recontour this bone when needed.
Who Might Not Be a Candidate for Gum Contouring?
You may be less suitable for this treatment if you have poor dental health, for example, untreated gum disease. In this case, our periodontist would need to treat your gum disease first before we can discuss this procedure.
Some people have a gummy smile due to an overactive muscle in the upper lip that pulls the upper lip up too far when smiling. This issue would require a different treatment approach to release or relax the muscle pulling the lip upward; for example, Botox injections may be an option.
Benefits of Gum Contouring
Gum contouring can provide several benefits, including:
- Creating a more symmetrical and balanced smile.
- Uncovering teeth so they look longer and more in proportion.
- Enhancing the overall aesthetics of your smile.
- Boosting self-confidence.
- Treatment is minimally invasive, especially when using laser dentistry.
The Gum Contouring Process Step-By-Step
Below is a general outline of what to expect during treatment; however, your oral health is unique, and your treatment plan is tailored accordingly.
Step One: Consultation & Smile Evaluation
Before we can provide this procedure, our periodontist will need to meet with you to discuss your treatment goals. We will also conduct a dental exam to ensure you have good oral health and are suitable for gum recontouring.
During this appointment, we will assess your smile to determine the amount of gum tissue that should be removed. We consider factors such as your lip line and facial structure to achieve a balanced and symmetrical gum line.
It’s also important that we check the bone levels around your teeth. Some people may have too much bone covering their teeth, in which case we will need to recontour the bone as well.
After completing your dental exam, we can provide you with a custom treatment plan outlining what we would like to do and the anticipated costs.
Step Two: Reshaping Your Gums
The surgery to reshape your gums typically takes between 1 and 2 hours on average, depending on the number of teeth that need to be treated and whether any bone also requires reshaping. You will receive a more precise timeframe in your custom treatment plan.
Before we begin, we can numb your gums if required to ensure you feel entirely comfortable. However, laser dentistry is extremely gentle, so this step might not be necessary.
The next stage is to use a special pen to outline the amount of gum tissue that needs to be reshaped. The gum tissue and any excess bone (if required) are then removed using our dental laser.
Usually, with laser gum surgery no stitches are required because the lasers energy automatically seals any small blood vessels, so any bleeding is minimal.
Step Three: Aftercare & Healing
Healing after gum reshaping should be fairly quick and uneventful. You will receive comprehensive instructions and advice before we send you home to heal.
Below is a brief outline of what to expect during the healing process.
- Minor Discomfort
You may experience some mild soreness, which should be easily controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers. Typically, healing will take one to two weeks, depending on the extent of gum reshaping and the number of teeth requiring treatment.
- Oral Hygiene
Before you leave our dental office, we will discuss aftercare at home, including instructions on how to maintain your mouth’s cleanliness during the healing process. We may recommend using an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce bacteria in your mouth.
- Dietary Advice
We will also discuss which foods to eat, as you may find it more comfortable to eat cooler, softer foods like eggs, well-cooked vegetables, yogurt, smoothies, and pasta. Choosing these foods for the first few days will allow your gums to heal. It’s advisable to avoid any very hard or crunchy foods or anything with seeds that could become stuck around your gums, or very spicy foods.
Step Four: Follow-Up Appointments
Once your gums have healed, we will recommend a follow-up appointment to assess the results. We take a conservative approach when removing gum tissue, so if necessary, we can always touch up your treatment later to achieve a more perfect outcome.
FAQs
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When Can I Return to Work?
Because this procedure is minimally invasive, you should be fine to return to work within the next day or two, but it’s best to follow your own guidance on how you feel.
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Are the Results Permanent?
The results of gum contouring are usually permanent. However, on very rare occasions, the gum tissue can regrow.
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Is Gum Recontouring Safe?
Gum reshaping is a safe procedure when carried out by a qualified professional. Your treatment will be completed by a periodontist, a dental specialist with years of additional training in treating the gums and other structures surrounding your teeth, ensuring your oral health is in good hands.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th Street, 8th Floor, Suite 2
New York, NY 10017
(212) 810-9264