Examining the Benefits and Safety of Laser Gum Contouring
Your teeth may be the most noticeable feature of your smile, but the gums anchoring those teeth play an instrumental role in supporting their aesthetics. Excess gum tissue and gumlines that are too low, too high, or uneven can make a smile look unbalanced and otherwise diminish the beauty of your teeth.
Those who believe that their gums are compromising the look of their smile may not realize that dental professionals can easily re-sculpt the gumline to enhance smile symmetry and the presentation of each tooth. In Southwest Florida, Island Tower Dentistry offers gum contouring in Marco Island to enhance the smiles of its patients. Let’s review the benefits and safety of our laser gum contouring and answer patients’ most frequently asked questions about the procedure.
WHAT IS GUM CONTOURING?
Gum contouring is a dental procedure in which dental professionals remove or reshape gum tissue to address gummy smiles, replace gum recession, and enhance teeth symmetry. While dentists have long performed gum contouring with surgical tools, in the past decade, laser contouring has emerged as the more effective option. While it’s primarily considered a cosmetic procedure, gum contouring is sometimes conducted for functional purposes during periodontal pocket reduction surgery.
THE BENEFITS OF GUM CONTOURING
Gum contouring can transform your smile in several different ways. Excess gum tissue can make your teeth appear too small, while gum tissue that has receded can make teeth seem too large. Uneven gum lines can affect your smile by making your teeth appear crooked or unhealthy. Gum contouring can correct these deficiencies and make your teeth appear symmetrical and proportional to your smile and other facial features. Other gum contouring benefits include:
- Provides permanent results.
- It is a safe procedure with little risk of infection.
- Reduces the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease.
- Minimal recovery time with minor post-procedure discomfort.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GUM CONTOURING
And here are the questions about gum contouring that patients most frequently ask us:
Laser gum contouring has several benefits that make it superior to surgical contouring, including:
• Provides more accuracy to allow the dentist to create even gum lines.
• Causes less pain, discomfort, and bleeding.
• Reduces the need for sutures.
• Much faster recovery time.
While gums are sensitive, laser gum contouring typically causes limited pain and discomfort. Which can be further reduced with an application of a topical anesthetic. We can also offer oral conscious sedation to patients with low pain thresholds and dental work anxiety.
Dentists can complete most laser gum contouring sessions within an hour or two.
There is no downtime, and patients can immediately resume normal daily activities. Patients may experience limited pain and swelling for up to a week, but over-the-counter painkillers can easily mitigate this. Your dentist may also advise you to only eat soft food items for a couple of days after the procedure.
GET STARTED TODAY WITH A SMILE ANALYSIS
To learn whether gum contouring can significantly enhance your smile, Dr. Jonathan Van Dyke or Dr. Ryan Whelen would be glad to consult with you in their Marco Island dental office. You can also schedule a Smile Analysis, which provides a comprehensive oral examination to determine whether your smile could benefit from other procedures or a complete smile makeover. For all your dental needs in Southwest Florida, contact Island Tower Dentistry today at 239-394-1004.