What is gum contouring? Also known as gum reshaping or tissue sculpting, gum contouring is a procedure that will help even out your gum line. It also can help if your gums are too high or too low on your teeth.
Uneven Gums
Uneven gums can be caused by a number of things. Gums that are too high can be caused by gum recession, which can be a sign or symptom of another serious problem such as periodontal disease. Gums that are too low and cause your teeth to look small can be caused by certain health problems, some prescription medications, or genetics.
Unless it is part of another procedure, gum contouring is usually not a necessary procedure. It is typically a choice made by people to make them more confident with their smiles.
How It Works
The gum contouring procedure is fairly simple. First, your dentist will draw a line marking where the new gum will be. Usually, local anesthesia will be applied in the mouth. Next, your dentist will use either a scalpel, a laser, or radiosurgery to reshape the gum. Sometimes, the dentist will have to remove some bone at the front of the tooth’s root for best results.
Recovery will most likely take a few weeks. It is best to eat soft and cool foods the first few days following surgery, and to avoid seeds and spicy foods until your are completely healed. OTC pain relievers can help calm the area, but avoid aspirin, which may cause more bleeding.
Benefits of Gum Contouring
This procedure is fast and reliable and it produces permanent results. In addition, there is only small amounts of pain involved, which can be easily taken care of using OTC pain relievers. It can also be a major self-confidence boost, helping you to have more confidence in your smile.
It will also have some great benefits for your oral health. Removing excess gum tissue can reduce deep gum pockets. These can lead to many problems, because they are a hotspot for harmful bacteria that can contribute to gum disease and infection.
In the past, scalpels were the only option for performing this procedure. While still safe and effective, they cause more bleeding and discomfort than is necessary. Now, with the development of laser gum contouring, this procedure is even safer and less painful than before. The lasers are often more precise than a scalpel. In addition, they cauterize while they cut. This will dramatically decrease bleeding and infection rates.
Costs
Depending on how much of the gum is being reshaped, the procedure can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or two. The cost per tooth is usually between $50 and $350. For a full mouth contouring, the price is usually $1,000 to $3,000.