Gum Contouring for a Gummy Smile

If you have a gummy smile, you may be interested in learning about gum contouring. Contouring reshapes the appearance of your gums to give your smile a more uniform appearance that looks naturally healthy and youthful instead of like you’ve been eating too much candy! Here’s some important information about contouring, including how it works and the benefits of receiving the procedure.

Contouring is a simple procedure that uses your body’s natural ability to heal itself to reshape your gums. You’ll receive local anesthesia to prevent pain during the procedure. Next, your dentist will make a small incision at an angle in your gums, shaping and moving them into position with special tools.

What is gum contouring?

The idea behind contouring is to get your teeth looking as clean and even as possible. If you have what some people call a gummy smile, contouring may be just right for you. With contouring, these problems are corrected by carving out space where there should be space and filling in where there should be no space at all. It is usually done after orthodontics so that everything looks even.

Contouring is also called gum reshaping and should only be performed by a highly-skilled professional. Not only can contouring cause you pain and discomfort, but it could lead to infection if performed incorrectly. If you think that gum reshaping is right for you, talk to your dentist about what they recommend. They can give you more information on how they approach gum reshaping procedures and will help answer any questions you may have.

How does it work?

Gum reshaping is a treatment that reshapes or resculpts your gumline. During a consultation, your dentist will use photos of your teeth and mouth to mark where he’ll shave away excess tissue and fill in any areas with grafting material. After removing any excess tissue, as well as applying an antibacterial solution to minimize bleeding and infection risk, they’ll apply sterile gauze to cover your gums until they heal. Before you know it, you’ll have much more flattering pearly whites!

The process can be performed in your dentist’s office. It may take a few weeks for your gums to heal, but you can expect to see results immediately. Because it’s so quick and easy, many people opt to have their teeth reshaped before a big event or photoshoot. After all, there’s no better time than now to improve your smile!

Benefits

Overgrown gum often makes teeth appear smaller than they actually are. In addition, it can affect how your smile looks when you’re smiling broadly, such as for a camera. In both cases, having your gums trimmed can help improve your appearance and boost your confidence.

Beyond the improved confidence, there are benefits such as overall gum health. Trimming away excess tissue can also prevent tooth decay and lead to better breath, as well. With more gummy mouths, there are more places for oral bacteria to hide. Contouring reduces the hiding spaces for the bacteria and improves your oral health in the long run.

Ultimately, you may decide that contouring is worth it simply to look and feel better about your smile. With a quick visit to your dentist, you can be on your way to feeling more confident in yourself as well as enjoying better oral health. After all, no one wants to have overgrown gums. It’s not only unsightly but also causes problems with chewing food properly. But when your gums are too big, they need trimming so they don’t interfere with proper chewing of food or brushing teeth.

The healing process after gum contouring

While your gums are healing, you’ll want to use a saline rinse for the first couple of days. Also, avoid smoking, drinking hot liquids or citrus drinks, and eating hard foods like chips or ice cream. If discomfort persists after one week of home treatment, you should schedule a follow-up appointment with your dentist.

Generally, gum tissues heal relatively quickly. You should be fully recovered in about seven to ten days. But, if discomfort persists beyond that point, consult your dentist. Your gums may not have healed properly, or you may have another problem that needs addressing. It’s vital that you keep up with your post-operative instructions during these crucial first days. Follow directions carefully and adhere to professional advice and recommendations. Any deviation from typical protocol can affect how your gums heal—resulting in pain and infection.

Contact Your Dentist

Are you interested in learning more about gum contouring? Reach out to your dentist today to understand more about this effective treatment option.  

Request an appointment here: https://www.novelsmiles.com or call Novel Smiles at (703) 942-8882 for an appointment in our McLean office.

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