Is Gum Contouring Painful?

Be it the result of a medical condition, decay, taking prescription drugs, or simply genetics, there are a number of reasons why a person’s gums can make their teeth appear either excessively long or small.  For people that have uneven gums or gums that sit too low or too high on the teeth, gum contouring can be an effective procedure for changing the shape of the gums in order to improve the appearance of the patient’s smile.  While primarily done as an elective cosmetic procedure to address aesthetics, gum contouring can also be used for patients suffering from periodontal disease.  If you are a patient that is self-conscious with an overly “gummy” smile or have had a dentist recommend gum contouring to combat gum disease, you may be wondering what the procedure entails and if it is painful.

The Gum Contouring Procedure

Gum contouring or reshaping is a surgical procedure that is done in a dentist’s office while the patient is under a local anesthetic.  Using scalpels, lasers, and/or radiosurgery, the dentist will re-contour and then seal the gum tissue in order to improve appearance and prevent bleeding.  In some cases, in order to prevent infections, the dentist will fix any hollow areas that could trap bacteria with the laser.  Prior to the surgery, the dentist will often show the patient how much gum tissue will be removed by marking the new gum line with a pen.  Some patients may also require the removal of bone at the front of the tooth root to achieve optimal long-term results.

Is the Procedure Painful?

Because the procedure is done under local anesthetic, you will not experience any pain during the surgery.  After the surgical procedure is completed however, you will likely experience some pain and discomfort.   How much pain is felt is generally dependent on how much gum tissue needs to be removed and the technique used in the procedure.  Should a scalpel be used in the contouring procedure, sutures will be needed, overall irritation will be greater, and recovery time will be longer.  In order to minimize discomfort post-surgery, many dentists today are opting to use lasers when performing gum reshaping.  Lasers often do not necessitate cutting or sutures which can speed up the recovery time.  Regardless of the technique used in the procedure, swelling and discomfort are inevitable but there are ways to manage these.

Aftercare and Pain Management

The recovery time for gum contouring can be anywhere from a few days to two weeks.  To combat any pain after the reshaping procedure, your dentist will often recommend using an over the counter pain reliever like ibuprofen.  Medicines containing aspirin should be avoided as they thin the blood and can lead to bleeding.  Because the gums will be sensitive after surgery, patients should avoid eating crunchy or hard foods during recovery as these can irritate the gum tissue.  As with any surgical procedure, getting adequate rest is important in the healing process.  Avoiding strenuous activity that can increase blood flow to the area is also advisable as this can exacerbate pain, swelling, bleeding, and increase the time needed to heal.  Should pain, swelling, or bleeding not subside in the days after surgery, patients should contact their dentist for examination as soon as possible to rule out infection or complications.

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