Gum Contouring
What is Gum Contouring?
Gum contouring is the shaping and reduction of gum tissue by resecting with a laser, burr, or blade. There are several reasons why gum contouring may need to be performed. Learn about those reasons and how the procedure is done below.
When is Gum Contouring Needed?
Gum contouring or reshaping is needed when someone has uneven gums, bumpy or enlarged gums, overgrowth of gums, or a gummy smile. Contouring of the gums is typically an elective cosmetic dentistry procedure to improve the appearance of the gums and smile.
Sometimes health reasons are what triggers a gingival contouring procedure. Certain medications can cause an overgrowth of gum tissue. This overgrowth caused by the specific medication create areas under that gums which can be difficult to keep clean. A simple and painless procedure allows the tissue to remain at normal levels and also makes for a more pleasing smile.
How To Prepare
Before gum contouring, an evaluation and overview with Dr. Kim will be discussed to prepare for the procedure…
- A comprehensive dental exam will be done including dental X-rays taken and models made of your teeth and mouth. You also may need a special type of computed tomography (CT) scan, that will allow the dentist to accurately measure the height and width of your existing bone to evaluate the health of your teeth and jaw bone.
- Treatment plan. 212 Smiling will tailor a treatment plan to account all factors of the procedure. If the surgery is invasive we will take into account the factors and the procedure with a timely thought out plan. This will include a walkthrough of the procedure, a step by sept treatment guide and a follow up an appointment if needed.
Make sure to tell your doctor about any medical conditions and any medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements. If you have heart conditions or orthopedic implants, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics before surgery to help prevent infection.
Anesthesia may be used to control the pain during your procedure. The 212 Smiling team will instruct you about eating and drinking before surgery, depending on the type of anesthesia. If general anesthesia is used, someone will have to assist you home after surgery and expect to rest for the day.
What is the Procedure for Gum Contouring?
Dentists use scalpels, lasers, and radiosurgery to perform the gum contouring NYC procedure in the dental office. Ask your dentist which technique would be the most suitable for your situation.
Before surgery, your doctor should go over what he or she will be doing during the procedure. Often, dentists will use a pen and draw a line to mark the new gum line. That way, you can see exactly how much gum will be removed or how the gum line will be reshaped. A local anesthetic may be applied to numb the area.
After The Procedure
After the gum contouring, you may experience some of the typical discomforts associated with any type of dental procedure, such as:
- Minor bleeding
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain or discomfort
If swelling, discomfort or any other problem gets worse after surgery, contact your dentist as you may need pain medications or antibiotics. You may need to eat soft foods while the procedure site heals. Typically, your dental surgeon or dentist will use stitches, if invasive, that dissolve on their own, but if not your dental surgeon or dentist will have to remove them.