Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. Does your smile make you feel good about yourself or self-conscious?
You may not like to show your teeth if you have a gummy smile—this is when excess gum shows above your teeth when you flash your pearly whites.
Fortunately, gum contouring can fix a gummy smile, helping you to feel better and more confident in your appearance.
The Causes of a Gummy Smile
A gummy smile can occur for many reasons, like dental, skeletal, or soft tissue problems.
A gummy smile occurs when someone has more than 2mm of excessive gum showing when they smile. Someone with 2-4mm of excess gum has a mild gummy smile. A moderate gummy smile is 4-8mm, and a severe gummy smile has an excess of 8mm of gum showing.
Dr.Reddy will determine various modes of treatments based on which category of Gummy smile you fall under.
In severe gummy smile cases we use more than one mode of treatment to address the issue that is causing the gummy smile. Sometimes we use osseous surgery or we use Neurotoxin for hyper mobile upper lip. So its not one solution for everyone.
During your smile Makeover consultation Dr.Reddy will determine the best choice of treatment for your particular situation and craft a custom plan.
What Is Gum Contouring?
Gum contouring, or gingivoplasty, is how dentists correct a person’s smile to reduce the amount of visible gum. Cosmetic dentists or periodontists are usually the ones who perform these procedures.
During the procedure, the dentist removes bits of the gum, revealing more of the tooth underneath. The result is a toothier smile and a more even gum line.
You’ll be awake during the procedure, but you’ll receive a shot of local anesthetic in your gums so you don’t feel anything. The good news is that the procedure is relatively short—usually only about one hour.
Lasers, Electrocautery, Or Surgery?
Dentists may contour the gums through surgery, electrocautery, or lasers.
The Journal of International Oral Health advocates for the use of lasers because they are the least invasive method and the easiest for the dentist to perform.
The lasers allow a high level of control, often producing better results than surgery and electrocautery. WE USE A DIODE LASER FOR GUM CONTOURING.
How Can Gum Contouring Help Your Smile?
Those considering gum contouring have a “gummy” smile that makes their teeth look small and their gums prominent. When they smile, a large amount of gum is visible, often making people self-conscious.
Gum contouring reduces the appearance of excessive gums, making the teeth larger, and resulting in a more natural-looking smile. Plus, gum contouring usually lasts a lifetime, leaving you with a permanent smile you can feel confident in.
Is Gum Contouring Right For You?
Before considering gum contouring, you’ll need a professional diagnosis. The size of your teeth and gingival health will determine how much gum can be cut away, affecting the dentist’s ability to perform the procedure and your resulting smile.
Before scheduling your procedure, your dentist will review your overall health and the health of your gums and teeth to see if you’re a good fit. Those with epilepsy, high blood pressure, and on certain drugs may not be good candidates.
They’ll also look at your facial symmetry and measure your smile line to see if gum contouring will be beneficial. They will likely look for the natural shape of your smile in different scenarios, as a person’s facial expressions constantly change.
Is Gum Contouring Ever Medically Necessary?
In most cases, gum contouring is an elective procedure, meaning most insurances won’t cover it.
In some cases, a dentist may suggest gum contouring to help with a medical condition, such as periodontal disease, although they’ll usually suggest other options first.
Will It Be Painful?
Pain after a laser procedure may occur, though many patients never experience pain. The more gum tissue you have removed, the more likely you’ll experience pain. Those who have surgery are also more likely to experience pain than those going through a laser procedure.
Your dentist will likely prescribe mild, over-the-counter pain relievers to keep you comfortable. They may also give you an antibiotic mouthwash to prevent infection.
How Long Does It Take To Heal?
Patients usually heal within one to two weeks, regardless of the form of the procedure. Those who get surgery will have stitches, which may make recovery slightly longer than when undergoing a laser procedure.
Despite taking two weeks to heal fully, you can usually return to your day-to-day activities immediately (except for normal eating).
What Can You Eat?
You must stick with a simple diet to avoid hurting your extra-sensitive gums. Dentists usually recommend soft foods that are not acidic or spicy, like eggs and soup.
Schedule Your Procedure: Dunwoody, Alpharetta and Covington Gummy Smile Dentist
This minimally invasive procedure lasts a lifetime and will likely help you feel more confident. If this sounds like the right fit for you, contact your dentist about scheduling a gum contouring procedure. Creative Dentistry and Medspa has three convenient locations for you to have your gummy smile treatment done.
Gum contouring is sometimes needed after traditional braces are removed. Schedule your consultation to see if you are a candidate for gum contouring.
Posted on behalf of Creative Dentistry & MedSpa