When you think about the way your smile looks, you’re probably most focused on things like crowding, gaps between teeth, or the color of your enamel. But even if you have symmetrical and bright teeth, there might be something else affecting their appearance: your gums.
When Gum Shape Causes Problems
Gum tissues are part of the frame that goes around your teeth. If they’re uneven, it can make teeth look shorter than they really are. Atypical gumlines can give the appearance that your teeth are different sizes, detracting from overall symmetry.
On a related note, some people have especially “gummy” smiles. When they smile and pull their lips back, more gum tissues show than teeth. Depending on the cause, a gummy smile may be due to excessive tissues in that part of our mouth.
How to Fix Uneven Gum Tissues
Gum recontouring is a cosmetic treatment that helps safely reshape the edges of your gum tissue. By gently adjusting where the gumlines fall on your teeth, we can adjust the way your soft tissue frames your smile.
In years past, gum recontouring was typically reserved for more aggressive cosmetic needs due to the way it was performed. But today’s technology prevents the process from being invasive or uncomfortable. In fact, our Phoenix cosmetic dentist can perform your gum recontouring with minimal numbing and in just one day.
Laser Gum Recontouring
Thanks to soft tissue laser technology, a modern gum recontouring procedure takes just a matter of minutes to complete. The laser eliminates the need for invasive incisions or sutures. Plus, the laser itself provides a slight cauterization effect that essentially speeds up the healing process.
Since the laser eliminates the typical inflammation or bleeding you would see with some type of an incision, there’s little to no downtime after your procedure. Most people don’t even need to take an over-the-counter pain reliever. But if you do, it will likely only need to be on the first day.
The results of laser tissue recontouring are nearly instant. So, the same day you come in for your treatment, you’ll be able to look into the mirror and see the difference for yourself.
Should I Have Gum Recontouring?
Gingival contouring works well for situations involving:
- Tissue overgrowth, due to medications or hormonal changes
- Gummy smiles
- Uneven gums prior to dental veneer placement
- Adjusting gumlines on specific teeth
- Teeth that look short
However, there will need to be enough excess tissue to ensure that the root of your tooth remains covered at all times. Otherwise a restoration such as bonding, crowns, or veneers may need to be incorporated.
Take Your Smile to the Next Level
Our Phoenix practice also offers other aesthetic lip and skin treatments. Enhance your smile’s appearance with smoother skin, plumper lips, and a boost of confidence with one of our LIPLASE or Smoothlase laser therapies.
Reserve Your Consultation Today
For gentle gum contouring and gummy smile treatment in Phoenix, call Central Valley Dentistry to reserve an appointment.
