Gum Reshaping in Canary Wharf
At Mouth Dental, we offer Gum Reshaping, a cosmetic treatment that can change the shape of your gums to enhance the look of your smile. Find out more here.
Gum Reshaping
If your gums feel as though they are constantly on display, it can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance. At Mouth Dental, we offer a variety of treatments to help you achieve your best smile and be your most confident self. Upon examination, our team or professional dental experts will advise you on the best treatment suited to your needs.
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What is Gum reshaping?
In gum contouring, or gingival sculpting, the excess gum tissue is removed and the gumline is reshaped. This may be performed for cosmetic reasons, but it can also have a functional purpose if an overabundance of gum tissue interferes with biting or chewing.
This ‘gummy smile’ condition may also be a side effect of certain prescription drugs or inflamed gum tissue.
If you have periodontal disease, gum contouring may be a treatment option. But your dentist will first try to treat the gum disease with nonsurgical options. This may include antibiotics to kill the bacteria and infection, or dental cleanings to restore gum health.
If these efforts don’t work, your dentist may recommend a treatment such as pocket reduction surgery on the gums and surrounding bone to save a tooth. Or you may need a regeneration procedure to regrow damaged bone and gum tissue.
Patients with these conditions are more susceptible to infection, which could lead to gingivitis or tooth loss. As such, gum contouring may be essential to your oral health, beyond the cosmetic factors.
Gum contouring is usually done by a periodontist or a cosmetic dentist. It’s an in-office procedure that’s typically done in one visit.
At Mouth Dental, we offer a range of treatment options for treating gummy smiles. These include:
- Surgical gum lifts
- Laser gum lifts
- Botox
What is Gum reshaping?
In gum contouring, or gingival sculpting, the excess gum tissue is removed and the gumline is reshaped. This may be performed for cosmetic reasons, but it can also have a functional purpose if an overabundance of gum tissue interferes with biting or chewing.
This ‘gummy smile’ condition may also be a side effect of certain prescription drugs or inflamed gum tissue.
If you have periodontal disease, gum contouring may be a treatment option. But your dentist will first try to treat the gum disease with nonsurgical options. This may include antibiotics to kill the bacteria and infection, or dental cleanings to restore gum health.
If these efforts don’t work, your dentist may recommend a treatment such as pocket reduction surgery on the gums and surrounding bone to save a tooth. Or you may need a regeneration procedure to regrow damaged bone and gum tissue.
Patients with these conditions are more susceptible to infection, which could lead to gingivitis or tooth loss. As such, gum contouring may be essential to your oral health, beyond the cosmetic factors.
Gum contouring is usually done by a periodontist or a cosmetic dentist. It’s an in-office procedure that’s typically done in one visit.
At Mouth Dental, we offer a range of treatment options for treating gummy smiles. These include:
- Surgical gum lifts
- Laser gum lifts
- Botox
What are the benefits of Gum reshaping?
From an Aesthetic Perspective
- helps lengthen and expose crowns to create a brighter, more even smile that reveals all teeth and removes the large strip of gum tissue across the top.
- gum contouring helps shape the spots where tissue extends lower than others, resulting in a straighter, more symmetrical smile.
- gum contouring can also address a gumline that’s too high due to gum recession. This condition also hastens the effects of tooth decay and could be a sign of periodontal disease or bone degeneration.
Health Benefits
For certain patients, having too much gum tissue is a health concern, since excess tissue can trap food particles, which in turn may accelerate tooth decay. Patients with this condition often report regular gum irritation and are more susceptible to periodontal disease or gingivitis.
Due to these factors, gum reshaping may be recommended before crown lengthening, pocket reduction or other regenerative procedures.
Trimming back the gumline lessens the occurrence of tooth decay and periodontal issues, this aids in preserving the existing teeth and helps your teeth stay healthier for longer periods of time.
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Is it invasive?
Although it’s generally painless, some patients report soreness afterward. You may be prescribed a painkiller for recovery. Since aspirin can cause bleeding, your doctor might discourage this medication.
Depending on the patient and procedure, it may take days to weeks to fully heal.
You’ll be given local anesthesia before the procedure starts. This will numb your gums so you won’t feel pain while the doctor is working on your mouth. But you can expect some tenderness and numbness afterward.
The amount of discomfort depends on how much of your gums had to be reshaped or removed.
You can also reduce pain and swelling by applying an ice pack or cold compress to your mouth for a couple of days after the procedure. It’s best to apply the compress for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
Avoid Damaging Habits
Dental veneers are strong, but certain habits can damage them; chewing ice and biting fingernails can end up damaging the veneers. People should avoid these habits together with others that can chip or break the veneers under pressure.
How long does the procedure take?
The procedure is typically an in-office procedure and takes about 1 to 2 hours. Unlike other cosmetic dental procedures, gum contouring often involves a single visit with a relatively short recovery time. It’s important to note that gum contouring is permanent, as tissue do not regrow.
What to expect during the procedure?
Gum contouring is usually done by a periodontist or a cosmetic dentist. It’s an in-office procedure that’s typically done in one visit.
In most cases, you’ll remain awake during the procedure. Before the doctor starts, you’ll receive local anesthesia to numb the gum area.
The length of the procedure will vary depending on the extent of the contouring and the amount of resculpting that’s needed. Generally, gum contouring takes about 1 to 2 hours
During the procedure, the doctor will use a soft tissue laser or scalpel to remove excess gum tissue and resculpt the gumline to expose more of the tooth. Sutures may be used to hold the gum tissue in place.
If your gums recede and the procedure involves adding gum tissue, your doctor will remove tissue from another part of your mouth, maybe your palate. Surgery secures this tissue around your teeth to lengthen and restructure your gumline.
The treatment is comfortable with instant healing and can the procedure can take from a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the number of areas that need treatment.
This procedure can either be used in adjunct to teeth whitening or braces or as part of a smile makeover.
Aftercare: Gum reshaping
Gum contouring involves little downtime, however, complete healing might take days or weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery. You may have to limit some activities for a day or two based on how you feel and any tenderness you may have.
Unlike extractions and wisdom tooth removals, gum contouring procedures create relatively little exposed tissue that could be irritated by certain foods. However, you should still try to avoid foods like:
- Small seeds like poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, and chia, or seedy fruits like kiwi and raspberries
- Crunchy foods like chips or popcorn
- Anything too hard that requires a lot of pressure to bite or which fractures into pieces in the mouth, like hard candy, crackers, and pretzels
- Spicy or highly acidic foods and drinks, like hot sauce or lemonade, with a high chance of irritating the gums.
Since your gums and mouth will likely feel sensitive or tender at first, you’ll want to eat soft, cool foods for about 2 to 3 days after the procedure. This might include foods such as:
- soup which is not too hot
- yogurt
- Applesauce
- Jell-O
Post-surgery dietary instructions will be provided and you will be asked to come for a follow-up appointment a few days or a week after the procedure. Your doctor will check your gums to monitor how you’re healing and look for signs of an infection.
An antibiotic mouth rinse may be prescribed to reduce the risk of infection. Signs of infection include increased pain and swelling and discharge from the gums.
Oral Hygiene Requirements for a Speedy Recovery
- Careful and gentle brushing with an extra soft toothbrush
- Use a flossing tool or pre-strung picks once a day to reduce pressure against the sensitive gum tissue
- Avoid using toothpicks
- Using alcohol-free mouthwash
How much does it cost to reshape your gums?
Specialist Full Periodontal Consultation including X-rays – £150
After this consultation, the best possible treatment for your gums will be discussed with you.
Gum reshaping at Mouth Dental
At Mouth Dental, our team of professionals are experts in all dental procedures. Our main goal is to help our patients achieve their best smile!
Visit one of our clinics, or make an appointment online, to consult with a professional regarding the best possible treatment for your needs.