Healing After Gum Contouring
Individuals that have uneven gums or gums which sit too low or too high on their teeth, may find that the condition is embarrassing and negatively impacts their self-confidence. When gums sit too low in the mouth, as a result of age, genetics, or periodontal disease, more of the tooth surface is exposed and creates the image that the teeth are too long. Gums that rest too high on the teeth, can make the teeth look smaller than normal and give the appearance of an overly “gummy” smile. Luckily, a gum contouring or reshaping procedure can be used to combat these issues and improve the appearance of a patient’s smile. Patients considering a gum contouring procedure, may be wondering what is involved and the time needed to recover from the treatment.
Gum Contouring Procedure Overview
Dentists or periodontists perform gum contouring in their office and the procedure generally only requires one visit. Prior to the surgery, the doctor will go over what will be done during the procedure and may use a pen to mark the new gum line. While the patient is under a local anesthetic, to minimize any pain or discomfort, the doctor then uses scalpels, lasers, or radiosurgery to remove or add gum tissue to the needed areas of the mouth before resealing the gums. In some cases, the patient may need to have bone removed from the front of the tooth root in order to maximize long-term results.
Post-Surgery Treatment and Recovery
Recovery time from gum contouring typically ranges from a few days to a couple of weeks but will vary based on the amount of gum tissue treated and the technique used by the doctor. Should dental scalpels but used, patient recovery is generally longer than contouring using lasers. Because the scalpel cuts away excess tissue, sutures (stitches) are necessary which can result in bleeding, scabbing, and irritation or discomfort. To avoid this, many dentists are turning to lasers when performing gum contouring procedures. Lasers are preferable in that the procedure is less invasive, generally painless, more precise, safer, and offer a much faster recovery time than when scalpels are used.
After the surgery is performed, particularly if scalpels are used, patients may experience discomfort or irritation. To combat any pain, the doctor will likely recommend using pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Use of medicines containing aspirin are discouraged as they can thin the blood and exacerbate bleeding.
Modifications to the patient’s diet may also be necessary while the gums are healing. Hard or crunchy foods should be avoided as well as any foods with small seeds that could get trapped under the gums. A diet of soft foods, such as yogurt, pasta, ice cream, or eggs, may be advised for several days post-surgery.
Daily flossing and brushing techniques may also need to be modified while healing. Because the gums will likely be sensitive after surgery, patients should be more gentle when performing their oral hygiene routine. Alcohol containing mouthwashes, which can burn the sensitive gums, should also be avoided during recovery. Using a rinse of saline and hydrogen peroxide after meals, can help clean out debris and speed up recovery.
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