Is Gum Contouring Right for You?
Gum contouring is a dental procedure that reshapes the gumline to improve your teeth's appearance and health. Modifying your gums may seem purely cosmetic when the dentist first explains this portion of your dental treatment plan, but gum contouring can serve both aesthetic and functional purposes based on your unique situation. After speaking with the dentist and reviewing all your options, you may need to consider your overall oral health, the structure of your gums, and what your long-term dental goals are.
In some cases, people may find they have extra or excessive gum tissue that results in the appearance of shorter or uneven teeth. Dentists refer to cases like these as people with a “gummy” smile. For these people, carefully removing the excess tissue as well as refining the gumline can create a more balanced, symmetrical look. After gum contouring, the results leave you with a proportionate frame for all of your teeth, a more uniform smile without changing the teeth themselves.
Alternatively, the procedure may involve rebuilding or repositioning existing tissue, not removing tissue. Dentists will use gum contouring in these cases if your gums have receded because of periodontal disease, aggressive brushing, or age-related factors. In order to protect your natural teeth as much as possible and vulnerable tooth roots, gum contouring can restore coverage when combined with grafting techniques. This approach will leave you with a healthier gum line and improved appearance.
For other people, gum contouring may be one step in a more complex treatment plan that includes veneers or orthodontic treatments. Gum contouring can help stabilize the foundation for your orthodontics and leave your smile more symmetrical. It allows restorations to be placed properly or ensures a better result after braces.
Your overall oral health greatly affects whether gum contouring is the best option for your treatment plan. If you are suffering from active gum disease or gum inflammation from active gum disease, the dentist may suggest surgical reshaping of your gums. Surgical reshaping is only an option after these other concerns are addressed. The tissue needs to be healthy before the gum contouring to ensure the success of the treatment. Regular dental cleanings and consistent oral care at home are needed not only to prepare for gum contouring but to maintain the procedure's results.
Depending on the goals for your smile, gum contouring may be able to help you reach your expectations. If you are looking to make some subtle changes to improve the shape or appearance of your teeth, gum contouring could help you reach your goal. When you are determining the best options for your goals, share any images of your desired results with the dentist.
Gum contouring may not suit everyone, and it may not be able to happen as soon as you would like if you have other treatments that take priority. You may need to address restorative care, bite alignment, or tooth position.
If you have more questions about gum contouring or how addressing it could work as a part of your treatment plan to achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if gum contouring is the best option for you.