Gum Recontouring – Studio City, CA
Create the Perfect Frame for Your Smile
Do your teeth look unusually short? Do you have excess gum tissue or an uneven gumline? You might be a candidate for gum recontouring, a cosmetic procedure that aims to create the perfect frame for your smile. Here at Studio City Dental Arts, Dr. Shahrestany uses a soft tissue laser to make this treatment as precise and comfortable as possible. Read this page to learn more about gum recontouring, and then call us when you are ready to book an appointment.
What Is Gum Recontouring?
Gum recontouring may also be called gum contouring or gingivoplasty. In some cases, it might be referred to as crown lengthening or gingivectomy, but those are slightly different procedures that are often more restorative than they are cosmetic. Gum recontouring, on the other hand, is primarily focused on helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals.
During the procedure, Dr. Shahrestany uses a soft tissue laser to precisely trim the gum tissue. As a result, the gumline is more even and the teeth look longer. This procedure can greatly enhance the overall proportions of a smile. Depending on the extent of the treatment, it may take place across one or more appointments.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Gum Recontouring?
You might be a candidate for gum recontouring if:
- You have a gummy smile. This may be true of you if more than a few millimeters of gum tissue are visible when you smile. (In some cases, a gummy smile is present because the upper lip lifts up too far. Gum recontouring is not a way to address that issue. Rather, it is meant only to address the presence of extra gum tissue.)
- Your gumline is uneven. If some of your teeth look unusually long or short, gum recontouring might be able to help.
- Your gums are healthy. Usually, cosmetic treatments are reserved for patients with good oral health. If your gums and teeth are not yet healthy, our team can perform restorative treatments so you can enjoy optimum oral function and a confident smile.
- You want to prepare for other cosmetic treatments. In some cases, gum recontouring is strongly recommended before the placement of veneers or cosmetic dental bonding.
Benefits of Gum Recontouring
Some noteworthy benefits of gum recontouring include:
- The procedure is surprisingly comfortable. The soft tissue laser that Dr. Shahrestany uses contributes to comfortable treatment and fast recovery.
- The procedure is precise. Soft tissue lasers are extremely precise, so you can be confident that we will remove only as much tissue as is necessary.
- The results are permanent. Most patients enjoy lifelong results after gum recontouring.
- Your oral hygiene might improve. Some patients find that after gum recontouring, they are less likely to get debris stuck in their gum tissue. They may also experience less irritation in their gums.
- You may enjoy improved confidence. Enhancing the proportions of your smile may help you feel more confident and outgoing in social situations.
Gum Recontouring FAQs
Is Gum Recontouring Painful?
We can use a local anesthetic to keep your mouth numb during your procedure. However, this may not even be necessary for some patients; the laser we use for gum recontouring is very gentle and will generally cause little to no discomfort.
You may notice that your gums feel a little sore after your procedure, but it shouldn’t be anything you can’t handle with over-the-counter pain medication.
How Long is the Healing Process After Gum Recontouring?
Not everybody’s mouth heals at exactly the same rate. That being said, recovery time will usually be somewhere between one and two weeks. You might need to take a day or two off of work, but it shouldn’t be long before you can return to your normal routine. Follow any aftercare instructions that you might have received, such as taking prescribed painkillers or brushing your teeth in a certain way. If you notice any unusual symptoms, such as excessive bleeding, let us know immediately.
What Can I Eat After Gum Recontouring?
Your gums may be more sensitive than normal after your gum recontouring procedure. As such, you will likely need to make a few adjustments to your diet during the initial part of the healing process. Specifically, you should plan on eating soft foods. Pasta, yogurt, and applesauce are all examples of things you will be able to eat without issue. Make a point of avoiding hard or spicy foods for a while. You should generally be able to return to your normal diet after a few days or the first week.
How Much Does Gum Recontouring Cost?
Some gum recontouring treatments cost more than others. One of the biggest factors that can influence the final price tag is the amount of gum tissue involved with the procedure. Additionally, your geographic location can make a difference. We can discuss the cost in more detail when you visit us for a consultation.
When trying to decide whether gum recontouring is worth the cost, keep in mind that the results will be permanent. That means you’ll be making an investment in a more attractive smile that can last a lifetime. On top of that, you won’t have to worry about paying to have the treatment redone.
Is Gum Recontouring Covered by My Dental Insurance?
The specifics of your dental insurance plan depend heavily on which provider you have. As such, the only way to confirm that your plan covers a given procedure is to double-check your policy.
Having said that, since gum recontouring is often performed for cosmetic reasons, most insurance companies typically won’t help pay for it. There can be exceptions, however, so it’s worth taking the time to review your benefits. Our team can look over your insurance plan with you and answer any questions that might be on your mind.