Gumlines vary from person to person. Some are in the middle, some are high, and some are low. Even some might be unequal.

There are options if your gumline makes you feel self-conscious. Gig contouring is among the alternatives for reshaping your gum line, also called gingival sculpting or gingivoplasty.

In some circumstances, your dentist could even advise you to do so, particularly if you have gum problems that have an impact on your oral health. But what does it entail?

This article will explain gum contouring, its procedure, why it’s beneficial, and when it occurs.

What is Gum Contouring?

A dental specialist may perform a technique called gum contouring to reshape or sculpt your gumline.

Gum contouring includes trimming away or eliminating extra gum tissue from the area around your teeth. Gum tissue is restored during the surgery if you have gum recession.

Gum contouring is often a voluntary procedure. It implies that it is not required medically. Instead, it’s done to enhance the appearance of the smile, gums, and teeth. However, there may be instances when your dentist advises gum contouring for reasons related to oral health.

When Does it Become Medically Necessary?

The purpose of gum contouring is often for aesthetic reasons. But occasionally, it could be necessary for medical reasons. Gum contouring might be a treatment for periodontal disease. However, your dentist will initially use nonsurgical methods to treat gum disease. It could also involve dental cleanings to improve gum health or medications to eradicate infection and bacteria.

Your dentist can suggest a procedure like gum reduction and contouring and oral surgery on the adjacent bone to save a tooth if these efforts are unsuccessful. You may also require regeneration therapy for injured bone and gum tissue to regenerate. These treatments could include gum contouring.

How Gum Contouring Works?

Periodontists or cosmetic dentists usually perform gum contouring. It is a one-visit in-office procedure. You’ll typically be awake throughout the process. The dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the region around your gums before the doctor begins.

The dentist will reshape the gum line to reveal more of the tooth during the operation by removing extra gum tissue with a soft tissue laser or a scalpel. The sutures may assist in fixing the gum tissue.

Your doctor will take the gum tissue from another area of your mouth, possibly your palate, if your gums recede and the operation requires adding gum tissue. To prolong and rebuild your gumline, the procedure binds this tissue around your teeth.

The degree of contouring and the amount of re-sculpting required will determine how long the process takes. Gum contouring typically takes one to two hours.

The Benefits

Eliminates Extra Gum Tissue

Your dentist eliminates unwanted gum tissue to give you a better smile and a more even gum line.

Makes You Smile More

It is the best technique to make your smile more vibrant to lower the gum line. Therefore, contouring might work if teeth whitening doesn’t appear to lighten your teeth as expected.

Combats and Prevents Tooth Decay

There is always a danger that food will become stuck in the thick gum tissue. It consequently makes it challenging for you to brush your teeth. Tissue ablation helps prevent food from building up, which keeps your teeth strong and free of decay.

Quick Recovery

The contouring procedure is short, painless, and recovers quickly. Only one office visit is necessary, and recovery takes a few days.

Permanent Solution

You only need to undergo gum contouring once, unlike the majority of dental operations. It’s because gum tissue doesn’t grow back after being removed, making the treatment a lifelong one.

How Much is Gum Contouring?

Being a common aesthetic operation, gum contouring isn’t medically necessary. Due to this, dental insurance frequently does not cover the expense.

You’ll be responsible for covering the cost of the procedure if it’s not medically necessary. The price will change based on whether a specialist performs the oral surgery and how much gum tissue is removed or replaced.

If your dentist advises gum contouring for reasons related to your oral health, dental insurance might help with some of the expense. To learn more about the specifics of how much is covered, speak with your dental insurance company.

Recovery From the Procedure

Gum contouring has a short recovery time. However, based on the scope of the procedure, full recovery could take days or weeks. Depending on how you feel and any potential soreness, you might need to restrict some activities for a day or two.

For roughly 2 to 3 days following the operation, you should only eat soft foods because your gums and mouth may first feel sensitive or irritated.

Besides giving you post-surgery dietary recommendations, your doctor will also let you know if there are any items you should avoid while you’re healing.

Following the procedure, you’ll have a follow-up appointment a few days or a week later. Your doctor will examine your gums to assess your level of healing and search for indications of an infection.

Get Gum Contouring at Smile Lab Dallas

Consult an experienced dentist at Smile Lab Dallas if you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your teeth and gums to determine whether gum contouring surgery is an option for you. But remember that the success of these cosmetic crown lengthening operations depends on the expertise of the dentist.

Our dentists in Dallas Tx provide several top-notch dental procedures. Our group of exceptionally skilled dentists is available to provide you with any kind of dental fitness therapy. Book your appointment now!