What is Gum Contouring?

In the age of social media where everything is captured by photographs and videos, having an attractive smile is important.  But for people with too little or too much gum tissue covering their teeth, having a beautiful smile is more difficult and can have a negative effect on self-confidence.  Fortunately, there are cosmetic dental procedures, such as gum contouring or reshaping, that can address these issues thanks to modern dental technology.  Understanding the gum contouring procedure and what it can be used to treat, can help patients make informed decisions on whether or not to undergo the surgery.

What Can Gum Contouring Treat?

Genetics, aging, some medications, and certain health conditions, can all lead to gums being too low or too high on the teeth for which gum contouring may be appropriate.  When excess gum tissue covers a large portion of the tooth surface (enamel), known as a “gummy” smile, gum contouring can be used to remove the excess gum tissue, expose more of the tooth, and create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Alternatively, some patients may have uneven gum lines where certain areas of the mouth have too much gum coverage, but not enough gum tissue in other areas.  One of the more common causes for an uneven gum line is receding gums, a condition which can happen naturally as we age or from periodontal disease (decay).  Gum contouring can help even out the gum line to create a perfect smile by removing areas with excessive tissue and replacing missing gum tissue in deficient areas.

What Is the Procedure for Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring or reshaping is a surgical procedure that is performed in a dentist’s office.  Prior to surgery, the dentist will often use a pen to draw a line on the gums so that the patient gets an idea of how much tissue will be removed and what the end result should look like.  Traditionally, the procedure involved using a scalpel to cut away or even out the patient’s gum tissue before resealing the area.  Because the patient is under a local anesthetic during surgery, the procedure is generally painless.

Today, the contouring procedure is increasingly being done using lasers to precisely reshape the gumline.  The laser may also be used to correct any hollows that could trap harmful bacteria which can lead to infection.  Because there is no cutting involved, lasers are also preferable to scalpels in that they reduce bleeding, offer a faster recovery time, and minimize patient discomfort.

Gum Contouring Aftercare

While the procedure itself is not painful, because of the use of a local anesthetic, patients may experience some pain and discomfort after surgery.  To combat discomfort, the dentist will recommend using ibuprofen rather than aspiring-containing medicines that can thin the blood and exacerbate bleeding.  To avoid irritation to the sensitive gums, patients may find that they need to be more gentle when flossing and brushing until fully healed.  Additionally, avoiding hard or crunchy foods is advisable.  Recovery time will vary, based on how much gum tissue is removed and the technique used by the dentist, but patients can typically expect to need between two to 14 days to fully heal.

More on Gum Contouring : Is Gum Contouring Right  for you?