It doesn’t matter where you’re going or what profession you’re in, everyone is looking for that brilliant, beaming smile from the office to the supermarket. It starts with dental hygiene like brushing, flossing, and avoiding sugary foods, but now you can also get many aesthetic procedures that will help the look of your smile. Whitening, tooth contouring, bonding and veneers are all aesthetic procedures to help your smile look its best. When it comes to a whole mouth aesthetic, teeth are important, of course, but your gums could affect the look of your smile, as well. To complete that beaming smile, you could whiten your gums with aesthetic gum depigmentation, or gum bleaching.
Discoloration or pigmentation of the gums leaves a grayish, brownish, or even blackish color above the teeth. With aesthetic gum depigmentation, gums that have lost their brilliance due to a variety of factors could be returned to their fresh, pink color with minimal time and discomfort.
The reasons for discoloration vary, but one of the big causes is smoking. Known as smoker’s melanosis, this condition occurs when the tobacco entering the body causes the melanocytes (the cells that make melanin) to produce more melanin than normal. Discoloration can affect the entire side of the mouth, in patches around the gums, or the lower lip. Other reasons for discolored gums include some medical conditions, metal-based crowns, certain medications, poor dental hygiene, or gum disease.
Brown or black gums are common for people who naturally have more melanin. This is not a cause for concern if they’ve always been this color, however, it can be altered by depigmentation.
The process of depigmentation includes first a consultation with a dentist to decide if you’re a good candidate. Those with healthy gums are firm to the touch and pink in color, or in this case, have a bit of discoloration for correction. Unhealthy gums appear swollen or even bleeding and your dentist will have to address these issues first before considering depigmentation. Once you get the go ahead from a dentist, they will use a soft tissue laser on your gums that target the pigmentation and restore it back to a pink color. The procedure is considered nominally uncomfortable and safe. It’s also a procedure that does not require surgery or sedation and will take the time of a regular cleaning at the dentist.
Healing from the procedure doesn’t require much; there should be minimal discomfort and no complications. After your appointment you should be able to eat or drink as usual. If you have sensitive gums, you may experience a little soreness for a brief period of time after the procedure. The best part about gum depigmentation is that it can last 20 years or up to a lifetime!
Gum Bleaching/Gum Depigmentation Dentists in Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Atlanta and Covington
If you have darkened gums from smoking, medications, genetics, or are unhappy with the way your gums look, consider aesthetic gum depigmentation. It’s fast, comfortable, safe, and in no time at all you’ll have that brilliant smile you’re looking for. At Creative Dentistry, we are experts on gum depigmentation. We are here to help you achieve that perfect smile you’ve always wanted. Please reach out to any of our three offices today. We are located in Dunwoody/Atlanta, Covington and Alpharetta.
Posted on behalf of Creative Dentistry & MedSpa