Many of those who are looking for a cosmetic improvement to the appearance of their teeth or smile don't actually have any problems with their teeth. Instead their main concern is that their gums appear too big or too visible when they smile. An overgrowth of your gums can make your smile appear lop-sided or crooked and can make your teeth appear smaller than they actually are. Such a condition may be due to genetics, health circumstances or as a result of certain high blood pressure prescriptions. Fortunately, this problem can easily be solved using a common dental procedure known as gum contouring.
Gum Contouring by Dr Mark Bowes
Technician: XYZ
What is gum contouring?
Gum contouring, also known as gum reshaping, is a cosmetic form of dental treatment used to improve the general look of a person’s teeth. It is primarily used in cases where the individual has what is commonly known as a ‘gummy smile’. This is a condition in which the gums cover too much of the teeth, usually the front teeth. This can leave the length of the teeth looking too short, which can affect a person’s general desire to smile.
The Procedure
To begin with, a local anaesthetic is used to take away all feeling from the area where the procedure is to take place. The scalpel or laser device will then be used to trim away at the excessive gum that is covering the front teeth. As well as cutting away at the gum, the dental practitioner will also work to reshape the gum that is to remain in place. The healing process is relatively quick, but will be made faster if the laser device is used. This method works to seal blood vessels in order to prevent excessive bleeding once the procedure is complete.
There are certain instances in which the removing and reshaping of the gum is not enough. If this is the case then the dental practitioner may need to remove some of the bone in which the teeth are rooted. This will be down to the judgement of the dental practitioner, should they think the gum will reform too far down on the teeth. It may seem more daunting to some than the mere removable of excessive gum, but it is just as simple a procedure. Once treatment is complete you may be prescribed with veneers or crowns to help improve the look of your smile.
What are the possible risks?
Although the vast majority of gum contouring procedures are performed safely and effectively, as with all surgical procedures there are some risks involved. For instance, if too much gum tissue is removed then it may cause the mouth to heal incorrectly. This may cause swelling and will require another procedure to correct it. In rare cases where too much gum tissue is removed there may be a longer recovery period. You should consider the implications of such risks before you decide to go ahead with the treatment.
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