Dissatisfaction with the appearance of one’s smile is one of the most frequently cited complaint from patients seeking cosmetic dental support. Fortunately, there are several cosmetic treatment options available that can restore and/or improve the look of your smile. One of the most frequently performed cosmetic treatments for improving a smile is gum contouring, a quick and relatively process that balances the ratio of teeth to gums by removing portions of the gum covering teeth and/or correcting an uneven gum line.

Because gum contouring is typically performed for cosmetic purposes, patients are sometimes uncertain if undergoing this procedure is worth the time and money involved. To help you determine if gum contouring is right for you, please refer to the following overview of considerations.

Benefits of Gum Contouring

In deciding whether or not gum contouring is right for you, consider the following benefits you will enjoy following the procedure:

• 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

What is Involved in the Gum Contouring Procedure?

While deciding if gum contouring is right for you, it may be helpful to have a clear understanding of what is involved in the procedure. Gum contouring can either be performed using a scalpel or laser. Lasers have become a more popular option because they reduce the level of discomfort experienced during the procedure and decrease the recovery time and discomfort experienced following the procedure, but both approaches are effective methods for contouring gums.

During and following your gum contouring procedure, you will experience some slight discomfort. To reduce this discomfort, a local anesthetic will be administered prior to performing the procedure. Once you are comfortable and sufficiently numbed, gum tissue is removed (either with a scalpel or laser) until an even ratio of teeth to gum is achieved. Once the appropriate amount of tissue has been removed, a final analysis is performed and final adjustments are made, after which the procedure will be complete.

What is Periodontal Gum Contouring?

Although gum contouring is typically performed as a cosmetic procedure, periodontal gum contouring is performed to counter periodontal disease, tooth loss, decay, or other periodontal issues that have developed as a result of gum inconsistencies. If left untreated, receded gums can result in the pockets of gums deepening, which allows for accumulation of bacteria. Eventually, this bacteria will harden and turn into calculus, which increases a patient’s risk of developing advanced periodontal disease. Periodontal gum contouring is an effective method for addressing this issue and preventing these issues from developing.

If your periodontist has recommended gum contouring to correct or prevent periodontal disease, schedule an appointment for the procedure as soon as possible. If you are considering gum contouring for cosmetic reasons, but are still uncertain or have additional questions, contact your periodontist to determine if gum contouring is right for you.

Gum Contouring Information : Gum Contouring Cost