Gum Contouring

Gum Contouring

The appearance of our smiles isn’t determined by our teeth alone, as the gums play an important role as well. For many people who are unhappy with how their smiles look, the way to improve their smiles may be through treatments that address the gums, such as gum contouring.

What can gum contouring treat?

Gum contouring, or gingival sculpting, may be used to change the shape and appearance of the gum line. This includes things like teeth that appear to be too long due to gum recession (typically caused by periodontal disease), or the opposite; teeth that appear to be too short, or a gummy smile, which happens when teeth are hidden beneath excessive gum tissue. While the treatment can be done for cosmetic appearances, there are some cases where the procedure may be done for health reasons.

What does gum contouring involve?

The exact nature of the procedure will depend on the type and extent of the changes being made, as cases such as the treatment of gum recession due to periodontal disease may require extra steps, but often gum contouring can be done in a single visit, taking around 1 hour. Dr. Lanie will apply a local anesthetic to your gums and use a laser to trim away and reshape the gum tissue. In most cases, there is only minor discomfort.

You can expect only some minor swelling following the procedure, and about one day for the healing process. Dr. Lanie will advise you on the kinds of food you should restrict yourself to while you heal from the procedure.

If you’ve been unhappy with the appearance of your smile for any reason, get in touch with our office to schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Lanie to find out what your options are and whether or not gum contouring may be right for you.