Is Gum Contouring Right For You?

A smile you love is an important part of self-esteem and a confident image. An uneven gum line or gums that cover more tooth structure than preferred can keep your true smile from shining through. Periodontists can help correct a gummy smile with cosmetic gum contouring in cary.

Who Should Consider Gum Contouring

Genetics and even certain medications can lead to a gummy smile. A patient who is not comfortable with the amount of gum tissue they have covering their teeth or who has too little gum tissue could be a great candidate for gum contouring. Too much tissue can result in teeth that appear too small and too little tissue can lead to sensitivity and root exposure. If the root of a tooth becomes exposed, over time this could cause bone loss and even tooth loss.

Periodontal Gum Contouring

When you develop gum recession due to periodontal disease, your Periodontist may advise that you have gum contouring at the affected areas to combat the infection in the gum pockets. Gum pockets are between the tooth surface and the gum tissue. The depth should be periodically measured at your dental cleanings, a healthy depth measuring one to three millimeters. When the pockets are too deep, bacteria and plaque can build up, leading to gum recession. Having the area reshaped by your Periodontist will eradicate the infection and seal the tissue to help prevent problems in the future.

How Gum Contouring is Done

This procedure is done in the office of your dentist or periodontist as our patient treatment. A topical numbing agent is applied followed by a local anesthetic to the area receiving treatment. A soft-tissue laser or electrocautery is used to remove excess gum tissue in the case of a gummy smile. Where gum recession and deep pockets are concerned, the gum contouring can also remove bacteria and infection and to seal the area to prevent future infection.

Gum Contouring Costs

The biggest factor in determining the cost for this procedure is the severity of the damage or the amount of tissue to be removed. Cost ranges from $300 to $1,000 per tooth and fees are typically bundled into quadrants depending on what is needed. Dental insurance could help cover some of the cost but your insurance provider may only do so if the procedure is deemed medically necessary. In the case of a gummy smile, it will likely be considered cosmetic and not be covered at all, but the cost is typically lower because there is no disease present.

Oral Hygiene After Gum Contouring

For several weeks after reshaping, you will want to be more gentle than usual when brushing and flossing. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash during this time as well. It’s important to keep the affected areas clean and not let them bleed so as not to develop an infection.

If you are not happy or comfortable with your smile, you probably won’t give many big smiles. With the treatment options available to you, there is no reason to wait. Speak with your dentist to see if you are a good candidate for gum contouring so you can decide if this treatment is right for you!

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