All You Need To Know About Gum Contouring Surgery
Duration
1 Day
Cost
150$
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- Annual Check-Up
- Free Panorama X-ray
- Private Language Assistance
Table of Contents
A perfect smile isn’t just about your teeth. it is about harmony between teeth and gums that creates true confidence. With Gum Contouring, we exceed routine dental care to offering a transformational experience in uplifting your smile’s naturally
At Sauve Clinic Our team is passionate about creating unique smiles With precision and care, to enhance your confidence and natural beauty.
What Is Gum Contouring?
Gum contouring, also known as gingival reshaping, in most cases is a cosmetic dental procedure that sculpts and reshapes the gum line to improve the appearance of your smile
It’s often used when a person has a gummy smile, which means the patient has excessive gum tissue that makes his teeth appear too small and wide, or if the gumline is uneven. However, Gum contouring in some cases is a must for improving oral health by reducing areas where plaque may accumulate and saving your teeth from possible gum diseases.
During the Gum contouring procedure, your dentist gently removes or sculpts the gum tissue to create a more balanced and symmetrical look.
Types Of Gum Contouring
1. Traditional Gum Contouring:
Traditional gum contouring involves using a scalpel or surgical instruments to sculpt and reshape the gumline. This method has some disadvantages as It may require stitches, leading to a longer healing process, and may cause more discomfort than laser contouring. Additionally, it has a slightly higher risk of infection, along with increased swelling and bleeding. However, these effects are temporary, and with good aftercare, the results will be natural-looking, beautiful, and New smiles.
2. Laser Gum Contouring:
Laser gum contouring is a modern, minimally invasive technique that uses a laser to precisely remove excess gum tissue. It’s quicker, less painful, less discomfort, and promotes faster healing, making it a popular choice for many patients.
At Sauve Clinic, we offer the latest technology in laser gum contouring to enhance your smile. using a laser to reshape your gum with minimal discomfort, faster recovery times and gives you more accurate results compared to traditional methods. Laser gum contouring not only provides a more comfortable experience, but also reduces swelling, bleeding, and the risk of infection, allowing you to enjoy a smoother, more even smile in less time.
When Is Gum Contouring Medically Necessary?
Before making the decision to perform gum contouring, your dentist will first exclude any underlying causes that could cause gingival enlargement. These causes may include factors such as poorly fitted crowns or bridges, inflammation, bacterial infections, hormonal changes, or medication side effects that lead to gum swelling. Additionally, gum enlargement can result from issues like bad oral hygiene, the buildup of calculus, or the presence of gum pockets. If these potential causes are eliminated, the doctor will then recommend gum contouring as a solution for the following reasons.
1. Gummy Smile Correction
A gummy smile occurs when excessive gum tissue is visible while smiling. This can also happen when a significant portion of the teeth is covered by the gum, causing the teeth to appear shorter and wider, which affects the overall appearance of the smile. To address this the doctor may recommend gum contouring. This type of treatment helps create a more balanced and proportionate gumline, enhancing the smile aesthetics, and delivering a more confident look.
2. Uneven Gumline
An uneven gum line occurs when the gums are asymmetrical, making the smile look unbalanced. This can be caused by genetics, gum disease, unfitted restorations, or injury. Gum contouring or gum lift reshapes the gumline, removing excess tissue and resulting in a more balanced and natural-looking smile.
3. To Remove Infected or Diseased Tissue:
If gum disease has caused excess tissue to form or resulted in pockets of infection, gum contouring can be used to remove the infected tissue, allowing the gums to heal properly.
4. To Improve Oral Hygiene
In some cases, uneven or overgrown gums can make it harder to clean teeth effectively. By reshaping the gums, patients can more easily maintain good oral hygiene, preventing the buildup of plaque and reducing the risk of gum disease.
Gum Contouring Procedure: How To Lift Gums?
At Sauve Clinic, our skilled team begins by reviewing your medical history to confirm you’re in good health and that the procedure is suitable for you. your dentist will explain the gum contouring or gum lift process, and discuss the treatment plan with you, walking you through each step to ensure you feel comfortable and fully informed.
The gum contouring procedure is done in successive steps, starting with :
- performing a diagnostic x-ray and a clinical examination to evaluate your dental condition and identify if any additional treatments are necessary, This may include addressing infections requiring medication, removing plaque or calculus, or making adjustments to dental prosthetics such as crowns, veneers, or bridges that could affect your gums.
- Once this step is done and you are ready for the procedure, your dentist will apply local anesthesia to numb the area where the gum tissue will be removed. ensuring that you won’t feel any pain, you will just feel a slight numbness in your gums.
- using a special pen, your dentist will mark the areas of your gumline that need reshaping to determine how much tissue will be removed and also help you visualize the final result. with expert precision and care, your gum will be sculpted, and any excess gum tissue will be gently removed.
- At our clinic, as we use laser technology in this process most likely we won’t need to do any stitches. The duration of the procedure ranges between one and two hours depending on the complexity of your case. Also, Thanks to our advanced laser technology and precise techniques, we’re able to minimize bleeding, discomfort, and recovery time. Then voila the result is a beautiful, balanced smile that’s uniquely yours in a short time.
Gum Contouring Recovery
After your gum contouring procedure, you may experience mild discomfort, swelling, or tenderness in the treated areas, which is completely normal. These symptoms usually subside within a few days.
To ensure a smooth recovery, your dentist will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions, which may include recommendations on proper oral hygiene, dietary restrictions, and possibly medication to manage discomfort, prevent infection, and reduce inflammation.
- By following these instructions, you’ll be able to heal comfortably and avoid any complications
- Most patients can return to their normal activities within a few days, and full healing within 1-2 weeks. and Thanks to our advanced laser technology, recovery time is significantly minimized, allowing you to enjoy your refreshed smile in no time.
Restrictions After the Procedure
After gum contouring, patients should avoid:
- Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods to prevent irritation.
- Vigorous brushing or flossing around the treated area.
- Smoking or using tobacco, as it can delay healing.
- Hot or spicy liquids that may irritate the gums.
- Touching or picking at the treated area to avoid infection.
- Strenuous activities to prevent excessive swelling or bleeding.
- Alcohol, as it can interfere with healing.
Following these guidelines will help ensure a smooth recovery and great results.
Gum Contouring Side Effects: Can Gum Contouring Go Wrong?
By following your dentist’s instructions and avoiding the post-operative restrictions mentioned above, you can minimize side effects and enjoy a smooth and fast recovery.
Gum contouring is considered a very safe procedure, particularly when performed by an experienced dentist using advanced techniques, like ours.
As a minimally invasive treatment, it carries a low risk of complications. However, as with any dental procedure, temporary side effects may occur including :
- Swelling: Mild swelling around the gumline is common and typically subsides within a few days.
- Discomfort or tenderness: Patients may feel slight discomfort or tenderness in the treated area, which can generally be managed with pain relief medications described by your dentist.
- Bleeding: Light bleeding is normal, especially immediately after the procedure, but it should stop quickly.
- Temporary numbness: Local anesthesia is used during the procedure, so you may experience numbness in the treated area, which will wear off within a few hours.
- Redness: The gums may appear slightly red or irritated initially, but this should resolve as they heal.
- Risk of infection: Though rare, there is a slight risk of infection. This is minimized by following your dentist’s aftercare instructions and maintaining good oral hygiene.
Gum Contouring Cost: Is Gum Reshaping Expensive?
At Sauve Clinic, we understand that enhancing your smile shouldn’t break the bank. Since gum contouring is considered a cosmetic procedure, it may not be covered by insurance in most cases in many countries.
It can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 in the USA and £600 to £2,500 in the UK, we offer this transformative treatment for around $150. We believe that everyone deserves a beautiful, confident smile, and our goal is to make that accessible to you without compromising your health or quality of care.
Gum Contouring FAQs
At What Age Can You Do Gum Contouring?
- Gum contouring can generally be performed on adults, typically once the gums and teeth have fully developed. This usually occurs around the age of 18 or older. However, the ideal age for gum contouring may vary depending on individual factors such as the maturity of the gums, the presence of any underlying dental conditions, and the patient’s overall health. It’s important to consult with a skilled dentist, who will assess your specific case and determine if gum contouring is appropriate for you.
What Is Gum Contouring Called?
- Gum contouring is also known as gingival reshaping, gum reduction, gum lasering ( when it is done using laser technology) or gingival sculpting.
Can I Exercise After Gum Contouring?
- After gum contouring, it’s advisable to avoid intense physical activity for the first few days to ensure a smooth recovery. While light activities like walking are generally safe, you should steer clear of vigorous exercise that could increase blood flow to the treated area, as this may lead to swelling, bleeding, or discomfort. Typically, you can resume your regular workout routine after about 3 to 5 days, depending on how your recovery progresses. follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to promote optimal healing and prevent any complications.
When Can I Brush My Teeth After Gum Contouring?
After gum contouring, it’s important to be gentle with your oral care. You should avoid brushing the treated area for at least 24 hours to allow your gums to heal properly. In the first few days, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and be cautious around the gumline to prevent any irritation. You can continue brushing the rest of your teeth, but steer clear of the treated gums until your dentist gives you the green light, typically after about a week when healing has progressed.
To support the healing process, your dentist may suggest using a specialized mouthwash designed to keep the area clean and reduce the chance of infection. Be sure to follow their advice for optimal healing and a smooth recovery.
Can You Drink After Gum Contouring?
- After your gum contouring procedure, it’s best to avoid alcohol for at least 3 to 5 days. Not following these instructions could lead to swelling and slow down the healing process.
Can I Eat After Gum Contouring?
- With this procedure, you can immediately go back to your diet but avoid crunchy, spicy, hot, or sticky foods for the first days. This will help your gums not be irritated, be in discomfort, or have slower healing.
- Stick to soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies. Try to chew on the other side of your mouth that has no treatment.
Do Gums Grow Back After Gum Contouring?
- Thanks to the expertise of our dentists and the use of the latest technology, the results of gum contouring should be permanent. The excess gum tissue removed during the procedure is not expected to grow back, especially since our skilled dentists conduct a comprehensive examination before the procedure to eliminate all factors causing abnormal gum growth.
- In some cases, your dentist may need to remove a small portion of the bone around the teeth to ensure the gum tissue does not regrow.
What Is The Difference Between Crown Lengthening And Gum Contouring?
- Crown lengthening and gum contouring are very similar procedures in that they both involve the removal of a portion of the gum tissue. However, the main difference between them is the purpose of each procedure. Crown lengthening usually provides service for keeping good oral health as well as improving the functional aspect of teeth.
- For example, if a tooth is broken below the bone level and requires a prosthetic crown it’s essential for part of the tooth to be above the bone level to place the crown properly and healthily. In cases like this, the dentist sculpts a portion of the gum tissue along with a small portion of the bone surrounding the tooth to achieve the necessary structure for the restoration.
- On the other hand, Gum Contouring is mainly used as a cosmetic procedure for purely enhancing the look of the patient’s smile. In such a procedure, only gum tissue is removed without touching the bone. to enhance the beauty of the smile. Each of these procedures has a purpose, and your dentist will analyze your case and Create a unique and personalized treatment plan customized to your specific needs.