Do you have a smile that looks “gummy,” or superfluous periodontal tissue that makes your teeth appear too short or stubby? Gum recontouring is a cosmetic dentistry procedure designed to remove excess gingival tissue and reshape your smile, revealing more the natural structure of your teeth and creating a more aesthetic balance in your face. Traditionally, this treatment was performed with a scalpel to deliver beautiful, natural looking results. However, today many dentists have begun employing the use of a soft tissue laser instead. Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of each method, and how gum recontouring could give you the gorgeous, symmetrical smile you’ve always wanted!
What is Gum Recontouring?
Gum recontouring is a treatment that is used in cosmetic dentistry to remove excess periodontal tissue that may make the smile appear gummy, or the teeth too small or stubby. Using either a scalpel or a soft tissue laser, your dentist can permanently remove this extra tissue from the base of the teeth so more of their structure is visible when you smile.
The Benefits of Gum Recontouring
In addition to making your smile look bolder and brighter, gum recontouring takes the focus off of your excess periodontal tissue and puts it back where it belongs: on your beautiful teeth! Not only does this make your gorgeous grin appear healthier and more youthful, but it also balances the symmetry of the face, improving its overall aesthetics.
Furthermore, because you have less superfluous tissue to keep clean, gum recontouring can help improve your ability to maintain your smile, thereby lowering your risk of developing dangerous oral health conditions like periodontal disease.
Laser vs. Scalpel: Which is Better?
For decades, dentists have performed gum recontouring procedures using a scalpel. However, while this did allow them to be extremely precise, many patients found traditional surgery painful. Furthermore, using a scalpel requires the gums to be closed with sutures, which added to the discomfort during healing. It also left the gums more vulnerable to infection and made the overall recovery process take much longer in general.
Conversely, the introduction of the soft tissue laser changed the game when it comes to gum recontouring. This device uses a steady beam of concentrated light to vaporize excess periodontal tissue, cauterizing as it works. This means that your dentist no longer needs to cut the gums with a scalpel and in most cases shouldn’t need to close them with sutures, either. This in turn ensures a shorter, more precise, and more comfortable procedure and recovery process, including a lower risk of developing infections as you heal.
If you’d like to improve your periodontal health and reshape your gums for a more balanced and less gummy smile, schedule a consultation for cosmetic dentistry and speak to your dentist about gum recontouring today!
About Dr. Perez
Dr. Javier Perez earned his first dental degree in 1997 at the University of Medicine at Cuba. After relocating to the United States, he attended UCLA’s dental school and earned his second dental degree in 2011. In addition to safeguarding smiles, Dr. Perez also proudly keeps our nation safe by serving in the United States Army National Guard as a Major, which he has done since 2013. If you’re tired of dealing with a gummy grin, don’t let excess gingival tissue hide your stellar smile! Schedule a consultation for gum recontouring at Times Square Family Dental today by visiting our website or calling 903-534-8110.