Gum Contouring

Before and After Gum Contouring Surgery

If your gums rest too low or too high on your teeth and you are unhappy with your smile, you may be a candidate for gum contouring surgery. Also called gum reshaping or tissue sculpting, this cosmetic dental procedure can even out an uneven gum line and give you a smile you can be proud of.

What causes uneven gums?
Gums that cover a large portion of your teeth can make your teeth look small. This may be the result of:

• genetics
• a particular health problem, or 
• taking certain prescription drugs

Gums that are too high and make your teeth appear long are often caused by:

• Gum recession
• ...a condition in which gum tissue pulls back from a tooth and exposes the tooth's root. Not only can gum recession make your teeth look long, it can lead to serious dental problems, such as decay and tooth loss. 
• Gum recession may also be a sign of periodontal disease.

Gum Contouring Surgery: Is it necessary?
Gum contouring alone is considered a cosmetic procedure. Most of the time it is not medically necessary. Most people have their gums reshaped to improve the appearance of their smile. However, some people undergo gum contouring surgery as part of other necessary periodontal procedures, such as crown lengthening, pocket reduction, and regenerative procedures.

What type of doctors perform gum contouring?
Many general dentists and periodontists (gum specialists) can perform the gum contouring procedure

How much does it cost?
The cost of gum contouring depends on the extent of the work being done. Talk to your dentist about the cost based on your individual needs. Dental insurance does not typically cover gum contouring for cosmetic purposes.

What to expect.
Gum contouring surgery is performed in the dentist's office. Currently, dentists use scalpels, lasers, and radiosurgery to perform the gum contouring procedure.

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. Sometimes, bone at the front of the tooth's root must also be removed during gum contouring to get the best long-term results.

Recovery
The day of surgery, you should rest and limit your activities. It may take a few days or weeks for your gums to heal completely. Your dentist will give you specific directions about what you need to do to aid the recovery process. Here are some general tips to get you through the recovery period:

• Ease pain by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol or Advil, as directed by your dentist. Do not take aspirin, which can cause bleeding.
• Eat soft, cool foods, such as eggs, pasta, yogurt, cottage cheese, soft vegetables, and ice cream, for the first few days after surgery. Avoid spicy foods and anything with seeds until your gums have healed completely.
• Follow your dentist's directions on when and how to brush your teeth during the healing process.

The Risks
No surgery is without risks. The risks associated with gum contouring include:

• Allergic reaction to the anesthetic
• Gum swelling
• Gum bleeding

Post credits: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/gum-contouring-procedure, http://www.lehighvalleycosmetic-implantdentistry.com/enlarge_gumreshaping1.html