You might be a suitable candidate for gum contouring surgery if your gums rest too low or too high on your teeth to leave you unhappy with your smile. Also called tissue sculpting or gum reshaping, gum contouring evens out an uneven gum line to give you a smile you will express pride showing off.
The Causes of Uneven Gums
Several elements can cause your gums to rest too high or too low. For example, gums covering a large area of your teeth can make them look tinier. The problem results from genetics, health issues, or taking certain prescription drugs.
If you have gums that are too high, they make your teeth appear longer, and the problem results from the recession arising out of gum tissue pulling back from a tooth to expose the tooth’s root. Receding gums cause severe dental problems like tooth decay and tooth loss. Periodontal disease is most often the cause of gum recession and deterioration of the supporting structures of the teeth.
Do I Need Gum Contouring Surgery?
Gum contouring by itself is considered an aesthetic procedure and medically unnecessary in most cases. Many people undergo gum reshaping to enhance the appearance of their smiles. However, some people also require gum contouring surgery for periodontal procedures like crown lengthening, pocket reduction, and regenerative processes.
Gum reshaping surgery isn’t cosmetic if it includes adding gum tissue after the recession has occurred and trimming excess tissue covering part of the tooth crown.
Who Performs Gum Contouring Surgery?
If you intend to get gum contouring surgery for aesthetic or medical purposes, you must research gum contouring near me to find a specialist to perform your gum reshaping. Before proceeding with the procedure, please inquire with the dentist about their experience and knowledge with such practices.
What to Expect during Gum Contouring?
The dentist from ToothWorks performing
gingival contouring in NW Calgary, AB, may use scalpels, lasers, and radiosurgery when performing the reshaping procedure. You can inquire with the dentist which technique best suits your specific needs.
Before starting the surgery, the dentist will talk you through the procedure providing information on what they will be doing. Dentists use a pen to draw a line to mark your new gum line. It allows you to see precisely how much gum removal is necessary or how the gum line reshaping occurs. You receive local anesthesia to numb the area of your mouth before the procedure.
Sometimes to achieve best results over the long-term, bone at the front of the tooth’s root also requires removal during gum contouring.
The Risks Associated with Gum Contouring
Surgical procedures are not without risks. Gum contouring risks include allergic reactions to anesthesia, although rare, and relapse of gum tissue. You can talk to your dentist if you are unhappy with your teeth’ appearance to determine whether the gum contouring procedure is suitable for you. It helps if you remember the result of gum contouring surgery depends on the dentist’s skill as it is familiar with every cosmetic procedure. Therefore you must conduct proper research to ensure you are comfortable with the dentist’s abilities. Do not hesitate to ask questions about whether the dentist has received additional training in cosmetic dentistry to perform these procedures. Reputed dentists will have before and after pictures of the work they have done. Inquire about them to make sure you like what you see.
Recovery from Gum Contouring
Following gum contouring surgery, you must rest and limit your activities. You require a few days or weeks for your gums to heal entirely. Your dentist provides specific instructions on what you need to do to help your recovery. Some general tips to help you during the recovery period include:
You can take over-the-counter pain relievers are suggested by your dentist. However, do not consider taking aspirin as it can increase bleeding.
In the following gum reshaping surgery, you must have soft and like eggs, pasta, yogurt, cottage cheese, soft vegetables, and ice cream for a few days until you recover. You must avoid spicy foods and foods with seeds until your gums have healed entirely.
Adhere to your dentist’s instructions on when and how to brush your teeth during the healing period.
If you notice severe swelling or bleeding or you have concerns about the procedure, do not hesitate to
contact the NW Calgary dentist for assistance.
