Cosmetic gum surgery, also known as gum contouring or gingival sculpting, is a common dental procedure that reshapes the gum line to enhance your smile. Cosmetic surgery is mainly the solution to two types of problems: the long tooth look and the gummy smile. Both of these conditions are usually caused by aging, gum disease or poor oral hygiene. They progressively grow worse with age. Cosmetic gum surgery can also help people with collapsed gums in the area of a missing tooth, blackened areas between implants, crowns or other teeth and tooth sensitivity caused by receding gums.
The long tooth look is caused by receding gums or a bad bite. As we age, our gums naturally shrink and recede. This can leave your teeth overexposed at the gum line.
The gummy smile is caused by excess gum tissue, which causes the teeth to appear too short. People with a gummy smile often feel self-conscious about the amount of gum tissue visible when they smile.
How is cosmetic gum surgery performed?
Cosmetic gum surgery involves removing or reshaping excess gum tissue to create a balanced, symmetrical smile. Your dentist will use laser gum surgery for precision and comfort.
The two main types of cosmetic gum surgery, used to correct the long tooth look and the gummy smile, differ. The gummy smile corrective surgery reduces the excess gum and bone. The dentist typically uses a soft-tissue laser that removes excess gum tissue while a specialized laser cuts away excess bone.
The procedure for correcting the long tooth look works in much the same way as a skin graft. The dentist removes healthy skin from the roof of the mouth and grafts it onto the gum line. The result is a natural looking, reinforced gum line.
Common reasons for gum contouring:
- Gummy smile treatment
- Uneven gum line correction
- Receding gums
- Enhancing dental restorations like veneers or crowns
Benefits of cosmetic gum surgery
- Smile Enhancement: Gum contouring reveals more of your teeth, making your smile appear brighter and more proportionate.
- Better Oral Hygiene: Excess gum tissue can trap bacteria. Reshaping the gums helps reduce the risk of gum disease and improves brushing efficiency.
- Support for Restorative Dentistry: Cosmetic gum surgery prepares the mouth for crowns, veneers, or implants, ensuring a natural-looking result.
- Increased Confidence: A well-balanced smile can boost self-esteem and make social interactions more comfortable.
- Minimally Invasive Options: Laser gum surgery offers reduced discomfort, faster healing, and minimal bleeding.
What to expect during gum contouring
- Consultation: Your dentist will evaluate your gum line and discuss your smile goals.
- Procedure: Typically completed in 1–2 hours under local anesthesia.
- Recovery: Mild swelling and sensitivity are common, with most patients resuming normal activities within days.
Is cosmetic gum surgery right for you?
Before undergoing any type of cosmetic gum surgery, discuss the procedure thoroughly with your dentist. This procedure may be just one aspect of an overall plan with several components to improve your smile. Cosmetic gum surgery might be complimented with the use of veneers, bridges, crowns or other cosmetic dentistry treatments to get your smile looking its best.
About Sedation and Implant Dentists
Sedation and Implant Dentists is a comprehensive dental implant practice located in San Gabriel, California (within Los Angeles County). We offer complete restorative implant services including single implants, multiple implants, full mouth implants and zygomatic dental implants.
Thomas Gonzales D.D.S. and Michael Chang D.D.S., are experts in delivering advanced dental implant solutions with sedation dentistry to alleviate dental anxiety for patients with complex dental needs. We have been helping individuals with missing teeth and significant dental decay regain their dental function and confidence by providing custom-designed dental implants for over 48 years.
Our dentists are member of several prestigious organizations, including: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation and American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.
Sedation and Implant Dentists is located at 416 W. Las Tunas Dr. Suite 107, San Gabriel, CA 91776. Our office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Our website at https://SedationandImplantDentists.com.
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