During and following your gum contouring procedure, you will experience some slight discomfort. To help reduce this discomfort, a local anesthetic will be administered prior to performing the gum contouring procedure, and if necessary or desired, dental sedation will also be provided to reduce your discomfort. Gum contouring can be performed using a scalpel or laser, however laser treatment has increased in popularity because they reduce the level of discomfort experienced during the procedure and decrease the recovery time and discomfort following the procedure.

Benefits of Gum Contouring

Although there is mild discomfort and a recovery process involved in the gum contouring process, it is important to remember the benefits you will enjoy following the procedure, which include the following:

• Procedure is minimally invasive
• Usually only requires one visit to perform
• No contraindications and very safe
• Provides a quick and effective correction to your gum to teeth ratio
• Boosts your self-confidence in your smile
• Reduced risk of tooth decay
• Provides long-lasting results

Aftercare Following Gum Contouring

Post-operative instructions will be provided following your gum contouring procedure. To ensure a speedy recovery, follow these instructions as closely as possible. Although every patient will have a slightly different recovery process, the following methods are the most effective ways to reduce pain and sensitivity and ensure a fast recovery, which generally takes between 7-10 days.

Swelling

To help reduce swelling, place ice packs over the affected area, leaving them on for twenty minutes and taking them off for twenty minutes.

Prescription Medication, Over-the-Counter Medication, and Antibiotics

Any pain or discomfort you feel following the gum contouring procedure can typically be managed by over-the-counter medication, such as Ibuprofen, though in some cases you may be prescribed stronger medication. Be sure to avoid medications that contain aspirin, as they can cause the blood to thin resulting in bleeding.

Patients who are at an increased risk of developing an infection may also be provided an antibiotic. Whatever medication you take, follow the recommended dose until your prescription is complete.

Limit Activity

One of the most effective ways to reduce pain and speed up your recovery process following gum contouring is to rest and avoid strenuous activity, especially for the first two or three days following the procedure. Engaging in strenuous physical activity can result in too much blood flow, which can cause bleeding, swelling, and increased discomfort.

Modified Diet

Patients will typically experience gum sensitivity following the gum contouring procedure. One of the best ways to avoid this discomfort is to avoid eating crunchy or hard foods and stick to a soft food diet until the pain and sensitivity has diminished or gone away. Crunchy or hard foods can irritate the gum tissue, which can prolong the recovery process.

If you follow these aftercare instructions, pain should diminish within a few days and be gone completely within a few weeks once the gums have fully healed.

If you have followed these best practices and continue to experience discomfort after this time, contact our office to schedule a follow-up appointment.

Gum Contouring Information : What is Gum Contouring?