When your gums cover too much of your tooth structure, it can make your entire smile seem imbalanced. Even if your teeth are perfectly straight, the outline created by your gums plays a significant role in your smile’s overall appearance. Gum contouring is a cosmetic dental option that reshapes the gum line to create a more symmetrical and attractive appearance. Using an advanced, specially-calibrated laser, your dentist can perform the procedure quicker and with improved accuracy. Often, laser gum contouring offers a less invasive treatment than the traditional procedure.
What is gum contouring?
Traditional gum contouring involves gently sculpting gum tissue with a scalpel for a uniform appearance. Because minor oral surgery is involved, sutures must be placed afterward to so the gums can heal. Laser gum contouring achieves the same purpose, but the results are more precise and healing is faster and more comfortable.
What are the benefits of laser treatment?
A highly advanced soft-tissue laser can allow your dentist to carefully trim away excessive gum tissues with significantly improved accuracy, creating a cleaner, straighter gum line. The laser is gentler on your gums than a scalpel, and the heat helps facilitate quick healing so that you won’t need to where sutures after the procedure.
What if I don’t have enough gum tissue?
While gum contouring is recommended for patients with excessive gum tissues, those who appear to not have enough gum tissue may not qualify. In many cases, what seems like insufficient gums can actually be receding gums, which can increase your risks of developing gum disease. Treatment for receding gums depends on your unique needs, and may include periodontal maintenance to address the increased risk to your oral health.
