A beautiful and confident smile often starts with your bright teeth, but it also depends on the harmonious coordination of your teeth, gums, and lips. To enhance your smile’s aesthetics and boost your self-assurance, consider exploring gum reshaping, a cosmetic treatment. Discover additional information about gum reshaping to determine if it is the appropriate procedure for you.
What is Gum Contouring?
Gum contouring near you is a cosmetic technique aimed at rectifying gum recession. The procedure involves the precise cutting, restoration, lifting, and reshaping of your gums. By the end of the treatment, less gum is visible when you smile, often resolving issues related to a gummy smile. While gum contouring primarily serves as a cosmetic solution for many individuals, in some instances, it may be necessary for medical reasons rather than purely aesthetic purposes.
When is It Medically Necessary?
While gum contouring in Atlanta is often performed for cosmetic reasons, there are instances where it becomes medically necessary.
If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, gum contouring may be considered a treatment option. However, your dentist at the dental office near you will initially attempt to address the gum disease using nonsurgical methods. These may involve administering antibiotics to eliminate bacteria and infection or performing dental cleanings to restore gum health.
If these conservative approaches prove ineffective, your dentist may recommend more advanced treatments such as pocket reduction surgery, which involves treating the gums and surrounding bone to save a tooth, or a regeneration procedure from stimulating the regrowth of damaged bone and gum tissue.
Gum contouring may be incorporated as part of these procedures. In such cases, dental insurance might cover some or all of the expenses if deemed medically necessary. To determine the extent of coverage and any potential out-of-pocket costs, it is advisable to communicate with your dental insurance provider directly.
What Does Gum Contouring Involve?
Gum contouring is a procedure typically performed by a periodontist or a cosmetic dentist near you, usually in a single office visit.
In most cases, the patient remains conscious throughout the procedure. Prior to the commencement of the treatment, the gum area is numbed with local anesthesia.
During the procedure, our dentist in Atlanta utilizes a soft tissue laser or scalpel to eliminate excess gum tissue and reshape the gum line, exposing more of the tooth surface. Sutures may be used to secure the repositioned gum tissue in place.
If the purpose of the dental procedure is to address gum recession and involves adding gum tissue, the dentist will extract tissue from another part of the patient’s mouth, often from the palate. This harvested tissue is then carefully affixed around the teeth to extend and restructure the gum line.
The duration of the procedure may vary depending on the extent of contouring required and the amount of reshaping involved. Generally, gum contouring takes approximately 1 to 2 hours to complete.
Aesthetic Benefits for Gum Disease
Gum contouring offers several advantages:
- It ensures that tooth lengths are proportionate to neighboring teeth.
- It addresses tooth infections and reduces the chances of recurrence.
- Beyond aesthetic improvements, it also resolves issues related to the smile.
- The supportive tissues surrounding the teeth regain their health.
Emotional Benefits of Gum Contouring
Gum contouring at New Face Dentistry provides numerous aesthetic advantages, making it a transformative procedure. Here are some of the benefits of gum contouring
Elimination Of Excess Gum Tissue
Gum contouring is a suitable choice for individuals with an excessive amount of gum tissue that extends over their teeth. By carefully removing this excess tissue, the dentist reveals more of the tooth surfaces, creating a longer and more proportionate appearance that harmonizes with your smile and facial features. In addition, removing excess gum tissue can help diminish the appearance of discolored teeth, making gum contouring a favorable option.
The outcomes of gum contouring are long-lasting.
Once excess gum tissue is removed, it does not grow back. Therefore, individuals who undergo gum contouring can enjoy the permanent results of the procedure. First, however, patients need to be dedicated to maintaining good oral hygiene and ensuring the health of their gums to prevent further loss of gum tissue due to periodontal disease.
Is Gum Contouring for Everyone
Determining your candidacy for gum reshaping involves considering several factors before making a decision, for example:
Oral health: It is crucial to assess the health of your teeth and gums. If you are experiencing issues like gum disease or tooth decay, prioritizing the restoration of your oral health is recommended before pursuing cosmetic procedures.
