When it comes to a smile, your gums as well as your teeth play an important role. An uneven gum line or gums that cover too much of your teeth detract from what otherwise would be a beautiful smile. Even perfect teeth can’t compete with gums that take up too much real estate in your mouth.
If a gummy smile is making you self-conscious, the dentists at Dentistry at 1818 in Philadelphia are skilled in laser gum contouring techniques that can reduce and reshape your gums. Gum contouring is one of many cosmetic dentistry procedures available at Dentistry 1818 to improve your smile. Other procedures include teeth whitening, which removes stains from the surface of the teeth, and porcelain veneers, which mask imperfections such as stains, chips, or misshapen teeth.
Laser Gum Contouring
Laser contouring creates a symmetrical gum line that makes your teeth the main attraction. The precision of lasers makes them ideal for reshaping gums and solving problems, such as:
- Excessive Gum Tissue. Contouring removes excess gum tissue that detracts from your smile.
- Uneven Gum Line. A laser precisely sculpts the gum line, making it more uniform and pleasing.
- Small Teeth. Excess gum tissue can cover too much of a tooth, making it look too small. The laser removes excess tissue and reveals the hidden portion of the tooth.
In the past, scalpels were used to trim the gums, a process that was painful, less exact, and required a long recovery time. Lasers, in addition to being more exact, quickly seal the tissue as they cut. This reduces the risk of infections and allows for quicker healing.
The first step in gum contouring is numbing the gums with a local anesthetic. The laser will then be used to remove excess tissue and reshape the gum line. In general, most gum reshaping procedures are completed in about an hour.
Most patients find the reshaping to be painless. Any discomfort during recovery is generally mild and can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications recommended by the dentist.
Recovery varies from person to person but many people recover in a few days, though others may take up to two weeks. Recovery for most people does not interfere with their day-to-day activities. However, until your gums heal, you should avoid hard, crunchy foods or food that may get stuck between your teeth and gums, such as seeds or popcorn.
Gum Reshaping Benefits
If your gums are interfering with your smile, you should consider the benefits of laser gum contouring:
- Precise shaping using a laser.
- More symmetrical gum line.
- Improved proportions of tooth and gums.
- Very little discomfort.
- Reduced swelling and bleeding.
- Shorter recovery period.
- Permanent solution.
Gum contouring is generally a cosmetic procedure, but some patients may undergo gum contouring as part of their treatment for gum disease.
Next Steps
If you are unhappy with a smile that shows too much of your gums, or you have a gum line that is jagged, then laser gum contouring may be an ideal solution for you. A personal consultation, during which we can assess your teeth, is the first step in finding out what is possible.
