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

MEET THE DENTIST! - Dr. Pape

Meet Doctor Pape!

Full Name: Selena Nurmi-Pape

Hometown: 

Kirkland, Washington

Undergraduate Education: 

Stanford '96 - BS & University of Washington '96 BS

Dental School: 

The Ohio State University - Go Buckeyes! 

Dental Specialties: 

COSMETIC DENTISTRY!

Not sure what cosmetic dentistry is? 

• Tooth whitening 
• Veneers
• Bonding
• Implants
• Bridges
• Tooth Contouring and Reshaping 
• Dentures
• Dental Fillings
• Crowns
• Caps
• ...and more! Call the Prospect office today (502-228-2709) to learn more and ask any questions, or REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT. Dr. Pape would love to help you with all of your cosmetic dental needs! 

Family: 

I am married to my husband, Rich. I have a 7 year old daughter, Sarah and a 4 year old son, James. 

Pets: 

I have 2 horses, Jack and Charlotte, and 1 dog named Kelly.

Favorite Toothpaste: 

Colgate

Manual or Power Brush: 

Power - Rotadent only! 

Favorite Food: 

Steak, veggies and occasionally one of Mortenson's freshly baked cookies! :)

Favorite Vacation Spot: 

France, California and Washington State. 

Favorite Hobbies: 

I love to ride my horses for fun and competitively. I also love to run and spend time with my family. 

Funnies/Most Memorable and/or Most Interesting Moment Experienced in Dentistry: 

One of my patients has a crush on me and every time he comes in he asks me out on a date. Of course I decline being married!

Anything else you want to share!

I would love to someday ride for the U.S. Equestrian Team...hopefully in the Olympics! 

Here comes the bride....and her teeth are BRIGHT and WHITE!

Planning a wedding? There will be plenty of details that demand your attention. Besides the dress, the flowers, the food and the fun, there is one thing that everyone will notice on your special day: your smile! Your dentist can help you make sure it's as radiant as possible!

ACHIEVING A BRIDAL-WHITE SMILE

• Professional cleaning: a professional cleaning at your dental office before your wedding can help remove stains that might otherwise make your smile less than bright. If food, beverages or tobacco have caused the discoloration, your smile will benefit best from a professional whitening treatment at your dentist's office.

• Whitening: also called bleaching, is a procedure that brightens teeth that are discolored or stained or have darkened in color because of injury. Whitening can be performed on living teeth or teeth that have had root canal treatment. It may be done entirely in the office (chairside bleaching) or the dentist may dispense a system for you to use at home.
• Chairside bleaching takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour. A chemical solution is applied to the teeth to lift out stains. A special light may be used at intervals to help activate the bleaching agent. To complete the process, 2-10 sessions, one week apart, may be required. It is not uncommon for teeth to become slightly sensitive temporarily after bleaching treatments.
• With home-use bleaching, your dentist creates a custom-fitted mouth guard that holds the bleaching gel. The mouth guard is worn up to 2 hours daily or at night for a length of time specified by the dentist.

OTHER COSMETIC OPTIONS 

• Bonding: if your teeth are chipped, broken or badly stained, or have bad gaps, ask your dentist about bonding. Bonding is a cosmetic procedure that uses tooth-colored materials that are attached or bonded to your tooth surface. Bonding can usually be complete in one visit.

• Veneers: thin custom-made shells that are designed to cover the front of the teeth. Made of tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat gaps, and teeth that are permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. 

• Enamel Shaping: if your front teeth are uneven along the edges, or your canine teeth are too "pointy," your dentist may recommend enamel shaping to improve your natural appearance. This involves contouring tooth enamel to create a smooth line. The process, which is usually combined with bonding, is usually quick and comfortable. The results can be seen immediately. 

TIPS FOR TRAVELING BRIDES

• If you are planning a honeymoon outside of the United States, it's a good idea for you and your fiance to have a dental check-up a month or so before you leave. This will lessen the likelihood of having a dental problem while you're enjoying your trip!  

If your smile could use a little boost before your big day, talk to your dentist!

Post credits: http://www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/patient_38.pdf