An unbalanced or ‘gummy’ smile can even lower self-esteem to the point where you avoid public situations altogether. If you can relate to this, there is hope in the form of a cosmetic dental treatment known as gum contouring.
Also known as gingival sculpting, gum contouring at our Earls Court practice is a minimally invasive treatment that transforms a smile in just one sitting.
Tread on to find out more about it below…
Gums that cover or show a large portion of the teeth are often the result of genetics. While an uneven gum line may make a smile look unbalanced, gum contouring is a chairside procedure that reshapes/recontours the gums.
Visually, a symmetric smile line looks more appealing but from an oral health perspective, gum contouring can also reposition gum that has receded, thus protecting an existing tooth and tooth root from exposure to bacteria and plaque.
Additionally, patients who have an excess of gum tissue can trap food particles within it making cleaning difficult. Patients living with this condition often report gum irritation and are more susceptible to gum disease like gingivitis or periodontitis so dentists may often recommend gingival sculpting.
At Predent we’ve invested in some of the very best equipment that makes treatments easier, more comfortable and better for patients. This is why we use laser technology. Gentle lasers remove or reposition gum with pinpoint accuracy without the need for sutures. On occasions where laser technology cannot be used, then a scalpel may be used to precisely cut the gum and sutures applied to keep the gum in place. Either way, the area will be first numbed with an anaesthetic.
The length of the procedure will vary depending on your needs but generally, patients can expect a 1–2-hour treatment after which, they’re free to go home. The result is perfectly aligned gums that are in better proportion with the teeth.
Post-treatment, patients should expect some degree of tenderness, but we will prescribe some pain relief and a course of antibiotics. Typically, any discomfort normally subsides within a few days.
Patients often tell us that any slight discomfort is well and truly worth it in return for a beautifully even smile.
It’s good to know that a gummy or imperfect smile doesn’t have to define you. Talk to our highly experienced team about gum contouring in Earls Court and let us show you what we can do.