Is Gum Contouring Right for Me?

Gum contouring can be a simple, effective way to bring confidence to your smile! Contouring is a procedure that your Dentist or Periodontist performs in their office as a quick, outpatient procedure. A gummy smile (when the gum tissue covers too much tooth surface) or uneven gum line and even gum recession, can be treated with this procedure to give you a smile that you will love for years to come!

Who can benefit from gum contouring?

Patients with gum recession can see their Periodontist to have it treated with gum contouring. Gum recession is when the pockets between the tooth and the gum tissue have a buildup bacteria and are infected. This causes the gums to pull away from the teeth leading to sensitivity, loss of bone structure, and eventually tooth loss. Gum contouring is used to reshape the receding area and clean out the pockets, thereby ridding the pockets of infection, allowing the guts to heal closer to the surface of the tooth, covering the root and helping to keep the bone level from deteriorating.

A gummy smile is easily treated with the laser by simply removing excess tissue and evening up the gum line. A gummy smile can be genetic or can be a side effect of certain medications.

How does the gum contouring procedure work?

Before a local anesthetic is administered, your doctor will numb the surface of your gums with a topical numbing agent. Most offices have the technology of a soft tissue laser though some doctors may still use a scalpel to remove gum tissue and expose more tooth structure. Using the soft tissue laser to treat gum recession, your doctor will reshape the tissue and eradicate the gum pockets of any bacteria and plaque, allowing the gums to heal closer to the tooth root surface and prevent re-infection.

Oral Hygiene After Gum Contouring

It is extremely important to you take extra care when flossing and brushing after you finish your contouring treatment. Steer clear of any mouth rinses that contain alcohol. Instead, you should use a warm salt water rinse, especially after eating to clean the area of any food particles and reduce any inflammation and tenderness. Taking care to keep your mouth clean and prevent infection will speed the recovery process and get you back to your normal routines and foods as quickly as possible!

How much does gum contouring cost?

If your Dentist is able to provide this treatment, you may save some money as opposed to receiving treatment from a Periodontist who specializes in the treatment of gums. You can expect to pay from $50 to $350 per tooth, depending on the severity of your individual case. If you have dental insurance, it may cover some of the cost of your treatment if it is deemed “medically necessary” such as recession. A gummy smile is likely to be considered cosmetic and will probably not be covered at all.

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