Your gums are just as important an element of your smile as your teeth. If your smile shows too much or too little gum, it can appear unbalanced. Gum contouring provides an effective treatment option to balance your smile and deal with receding gums and other issues.
What Is Gum Contouring?
Gum contouring is a type of gum surgery that focuses on providing a balanced and aesthetic smile. It can combine a variety of steps to carefully sculpt your gum line and provide the proper proportions for your smile. You don’t want too much or too little of your teeth showing; gum contouring can adjust that.
An individual gum contouring treatment can involve both reducing and augmenting the gumline in different areas. If you’re suffering from receding gums, most of your procedure will focus on augmentation. Tissue from the roof of the mouth or other areas is attached to the gums at key points and carefully shaped to restore the gum line.
Removing some gum material may still be necessary to develop the right contour. Traditionally this was done with incisions using a scalpel, but today, laser periodontics can provide a more comfortable procedure and incredibly precise results.
Why You May Need Gum Contouring
Contouring is a cosmetic dental procedure that can improve your smile. Many patients who choose the procedure make minor adjustments because their smile naturally shows too much gum or too much crown length. You can talk with your periodontist about options for improving the aesthetics of your smile.
In other cases, gum contouring is used to restore a smile that’s been affected by gum disease. Over 47% of U.S. adults suffer from some level of gum disease.1 Over time, the condition causes the gum line to pull away from the teeth. This both increases the risk of further progression and affects the look of your smile.
If you experience receding gums due to gum disease, contouring will be just one part of your treatment. It will serve to restore your smile, but addressing your gum disease is the top priority. You may also need pocket depth reduction or laser periodontal therapy to prevent bacteria from accumulating.
Your Gum Surgery
Every gum contouring procedure is unique, so your periodontist will consider your individual needs during treatment planning. Achieving beautiful results requires carefully evaluating your smile, facial aesthetics, and other factors to deliver the appropriate balance.
In many cases, local anesthesia is all that’s needed during gum contouring. However, other sedation options are available. Tissue to augment the gumline is typically taken from the roof of the mouth, with multiple layers of tissue available. This is carefully attached to the gum line and contoured to deliver a beautiful smile.
Benefits of Gum Contouring
This procedure provides a variety of benefits. First, you’ll have improved confidence and be ready to share your smile with the world. You can restore your smile after gum recession or address other cosmetic issues.
Gum contouring is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. You’ll have very little noticeable recovery time.
The procedure also helps prevent the recurrence of gum disease. While maintaining proper oral hygiene and keeping up with visits to your periodontist is still essential, bacteria will be less likely to infiltrate your restored gumline.
Taking Action on Receding Gums
If you have receding gums, contact Dental Implants & Periodontal Health of Rochester. You likely need gum disease treatment to prevent further issues from developing. Our periodontists can provide for your oral health and restore the aesthetics of your smile. Reach out today to book your appointment. 585-685-2005.
Sources:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html
