Gingival Contouring Also known as gum reshaping, gingival contouring is a frequently requested procedure and is called for in many different situations. As with other body parts, each patient has a different gumline. Some of them are short, some are tall, and others are uneven. While some of the reasons it is performed may be simply cosmetic in nature, there are medical reasons too. As with any procedure, it is good to discuss it with professionally trained staff. Give us a call at Mission Hills Periodontics to get answers to your questions.Why is it Done?When it is medically necessary to perform contouring, it may be due to advanced gum disease. In most cases, staff will attempt to treat gum disease with nonsurgical options. They will attempt to use an antibiotic course to eradicate the bacterial infection or a deep cleaning by staff before moving to surgically remove it. If those do not work, then it may be recommended that patients have a pocket reduction surgery that attempts to save the natural tooth by building up the supportive structure along the gumline. A regenerative procedure may be warranted as well to rebuild the bone structure lost due to gum disease. Gum contouring may be included as part of the above treatment protocols. It can be done with scalpels or soft tissue lasers. The preferred delivery mechanism is the soft tissue laser. The laser decreases the chance of infection or post-surgical complications by sealing the tissue as it cuts away the unneeded tissue. How is it Done?A periodontist or cosmetic dentist typically performs this procedure. They have specialized training in the field of contouring and dentistry. For the majority of patients, only local anesthesia will be used, although general anesthesia can be used for those patients who are overly anxious with regard to dental procedures. For those cases in which there is too much gum tissue covering the patient's teeth giving them what is termed a 'gummy smile', in which the teeth appear too small for the size of the mouth, the contouring consists of using either a scalpel or laser to remove it. In cases in which the gums are receding from the root of the teeth and exposing the sensitive roots, gum tissue may be harvested from a healthy part of the mouth and applied to an area in need of additional tissue. The entire process from beginning to end takes anywhere from one to two hours and can be done in a single visit. If additional procedures are necessary in order to prepare the gumline for this specific surgery, it may take longer. RecoveryFor two to three days following the procedure, patients need to be careful with what they eat and drink. Soft foods and non-acidic drinks are recommended. It is also important to limit vigorous activities for a few weeks to allow proper healing. If you have always wanted to reshape your gumline because of its appearance or you have gum disease, you may be in need of a gingival contouring procedure. Contact us Mission Hills Periodontics to find out if you are a good candidate. You can call us now at (619) 356-5989 for an appointment. |
