Gum Contouring
What is Gum Contouring?
Gum contouring, gum reshaping, or tissue sculpting is a pivotal cosmetic dental procedure to reshape your gumline artistically. This innovative procedure serves both cosmetic and medical purposes. It offers a solution not only for enhancing aesthetics but also for addressing medical concerns like gum disease, particularly when conventional treatments like antibiotics or dental cleanings prove insufficient. Whether the aim is to restore optimal dental health or craft the smile you’ve always envisioned, gum contouring is an excellent option for discussion during your dental consultations.
Is Gum Contouring Painful?
Rest assured, the dentist ensures your comfort throughout the procedure. Numbing of the gums precedes the process, ensuring minimal sensation during the contouring. While mild discomfort may arise post-procedure, your dentist provides comprehensive home care instructions for effective pain management.
Typically conducted while the patient is awake, gum reshaping involves numbing the gum area with local anesthesia unless an alternative approach is preferred. For patients desiring sedation during the procedure, discussions regarding sedation options are encouraged. If sedation is chosen, arrange for a trusted friend or family member to accompany you for transportation to and from the appointment.
The Gum Contouring Procedure
Contrary to misconceptions, gum contouring surgery is far from daunting. It doesn’t necessitate visits to specialized dental facilities. The treatment involves:
- Utilization of a soft tissue laser or scalpel by your dentist to eliminate any surplus gum tissue.
- Skillful reshaping of the gum line, revealing more of your tooth’s surface, followed by the use of sutures to maintain the gum tissue’s position.
- In cases where gums are receding instead of excessively, the dentist may extract tissue from another area and meticulously affix it around your teeth, facilitating gum lengthening and restructuring.
The timeline for the procedure depends on the extent of gum contouring required to achieve the desired smile. Gum contouring typically spans an hour or two, offering an efficient path toward your envisioned smile.
* If you have advanced gum disease, Dr. Frahm may recommend seeing a periodontist. A periodontist is a gum specialist. Periodontists can perform treatments to restore gum health and tissue. These treatments may include LANAP gum restoration and gum grafting.
How Gum Reshaping Helps a Smile
Gum contouring stands as a transformative procedure offering numerous benefits for enhancing your smile:
- Bid farewell to concerns about a smile engulfed in excessive gum tissue.
- Address the asymmetry or irregularities in your smile; at times, it’s not the teeth but the gum line that contributes to an uneven appearance.
- Combat gum recession induced by gum disease. The retreat of gums from teeth can create pockets, fostering environments conducive to bacterial buildup, plaque formation, and food entrapment. These conditions pave the way for infections, decay, and cavities, all of which gum contouring can help mitigate.
Patient Care After Gum Contouring
A few hours post-procedure, patients might experience mild soreness in the gums, which is normal. Your dentist may recommend over-the-counter pain medications for alleviating discomfort (except for aspirin, which can lead to bleeding).
During the healing phase, dietary adjustments are crucial. Opting for a softer diet comprising foods like eggs and pasta can aid gum healing while avoiding hard or crunchy foods that might irritate or stress the gums.
After gum contouring, gum sensitivity increases. Therefore, it’s essential to adopt gentle dental care practices.
Brushing and flossing should be performed delicately to prevent any irritation. Rinsing with alcohol-free mouthwashes proves beneficial in preventing any burning sensation on sensitive gums.
For those who like to hit the gym, delay exercising and heavy lifting for at least five days after the procedure. The exertion from exercise and heavy lifting can increase the pressure in the arteries and increase bleeding and swelling, leading to pain.
Your dentist may also advise on follow-up checkups to ensure steady recovery of your gums.
Why We Use Laser Gum Contouring
Dr. Frahm blends decades of expertise with cutting-edge technology, infusing an artistic touch into exceptional dental care that prioritizes cosmetic precision. Here at Dr. Frahm’s clinic, we use laser gum contouring for the following reasons:
- Minimally invasive
- Less to no pain
- Higher accuracy
- Safer method
- Shorter recovery time for our patients
With the advent of laser technology, this cosmetic procedure is often swift, virtually painless, and yields dramatic results. The transformation is immediate, and your gums assume a naturally perfect appearance within a few days.
How Long Does Gum Contouring Last?
Gum contouring stands as a permanent solution. Given that gum tissue doesn’t regenerate, the results achieved through this procedure remain enduring. Your new smile doesn’t necessitate repeated procedures for maintenance.
However, maintaining healthy gums requires consistent, long-term adherence to proper brushing techniques and comprehensive oral care practices. Ensuring meticulous oral hygiene helps prevent gum recession and preserves the longevity of the contouring results.
Dr. Frahm Can Help Your Smile
Similar to how reframing elevates a piece of art, gentle contouring of the gums complements your smile effortlessly. Occasionally, discussions about more extensive contouring arise. Dr. Frahm meticulously evaluates various factors to determine the most suitable approach for you. Book a visit today for a spa-like experience to a more beautiful smile.
Contact Us
Let our team of dental care experts help you find your most vibrant smile. Please call (831)-372-8011 today. You can also contact our care concierge to schedule your dentistry consultation with Dr. Sarah Frahm. We serve patients throughout the communities of Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach