Gum Recontouring

Properly proportioned, healthy-looking gums can make a big difference in your smile because the shape of your gums affects the shape of your teeth. Gums contouring evens out uneven gums and restores the proper look and proportions to your gumline. Your North Valdosta Dental Care dentists can comfortably remove excess tissue to fix a “gummy” smile. They can add tissue to receded gums that make teeth look too “long.”

Your North Valdosta Dental Care dentists use special instruments, most commonly a laser, to trim excess gums and maybe excess bone tissue. This “sculpting” procedure is known as a gingivectomy. It will give your smile a more youthful, natural appearance since your newly shaped gums will properly frame and showcase your teeth. The procedure will be quick and comfortable, and the laser will actually seal the gum tissue, helping you to heal faster.

Your North Valdosta Dental Care dentists will first ensure you are completely comfortable, and you will hardly feel a thing. Then they will remove a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth and carefully graft it to your gumline. This simple procedure will make your gums a beautiful frame for your teeth, giving you a younger-looking smile.

Anyone with uneven gums, a “gummy” smile, or receding gums with teeth that look too “long” is a good candidate for gum recontouring. “Gummy” smiles make your teeth look too small. Gum recession not only makes your smile look older, but it could lead to loose teeth and sensitivity to hot and cold.

When you look at the perfect smile, sometimes you can’t instantly separate all the elements that make it appealing. But if you look closely, one thing that beautiful smiles have in common is correctly proportioned gums. If the gums don’t look right, something will look “off” about the smile because the shape of the gum affects the shape of the teeth. A “gummy” smile makes your teeth look short and less attractive. When the gums are pulled back and receded, teeth can look too “long.” Proper proportion, size, and color in healthy gums make your smile look its best.

Uneven gums can be evened by taking tissue away where there is too much and adding tissue where there is too little. First, your North Valdosta Dental Care dentists will use anesthetics, if necessary, to ensure you remain comfortable during the procedure. If the problem is a “gummy” smile, they use special instruments, most commonly a laser, to trim excess gums and maybe excess bone tissue. To correct receding gums, they will remove a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth and carefully graft it to your gumline. These are quick procedures that can be completed with minimal discomfort.

Your gums may be tender and a little swollen for the first week following the procedure. If so, your dentists will recommend an analgesic like Ibuprofen. Usually, they will have you rinse your mouth with salt water or a special antibacterial mouthwash. You will do this once or twice a day for the next two weeks to prevent infection and aid the healing process.

If you have a “gummy” smile that makes your teeth look short and unattractive, or if you reveal too much of your gum tissue when you smile, you are a candidate for gum recontouring.