Gum Recontouring – San Antonio, TX
Say Goodbye to Your “Gummy Smile”
When you smile, no more than a few millimeters of gum tissue should be visible. If you can see more than that, you have what is often referred to as a “gummy smile.” This is usually not an oral health issue, but it can adversely affect your confidence! If you are interested in saying goodbye to your gummy smile, our San Antonio cosmetic dentistry team is ready to assist you with laser gum recontouring.
What Is Gum Recontouring?
Gum recontouring is also known as gum contouring or a gingivoplasty.
Gum recontouring is a minimally invasive surgery, during which we use a soft tissue laser to remove excess gum tissue. This results in a more even gumline, and it can make the teeth appear longer as well, leading to a more proportionate and attractive smile. It is a very precise procedure, and it typically provides permanent results.
This treatment is specifically for patients whose gummy smile is the result of excessive or uneven gum tissue (rather than an upper lip that retracts too far).
Gum recontouring is typically classified as a cosmetic procedure. Similar treatments, such as crown lengthening and gingivectomies, are more focused on improving a patient’s oral health. (Crown lengthening can create more space for dental restorations, whereas a gingivectomy is used to remove diseased gum tissue.)
What Happens During & After the Procedure?
One of the first things we will do during your appointment is numb your mouth. For individuals who are nervous or not easily numbed by local anesthesia, we may also administer sedation.
Then, our team gets to work. We use a soft tissue laser to perform gum recontouring. This advanced technology allows us to be extremely precise. It also minimizes bleeding and kills bacteria, which creates a more comfortable treatment experience and almost eliminates the risk of infection.
Depending on the extent of your procedure, you may need to visit us for one or more appointments to complete the gum recontouring procedure.
You might experience some soreness and minimal swelling in the days after your surgery. Our team will provide instructions to help you enjoy a smooth recovery. For example, you may need to eat a modified diet that includes a lot of soft and cool foods.
Benefits of Gum Recontouring
Some noteworthy benefits of gum recontouring include:
- It can enhance your confidence. Many patients find that they are eager to show off their new smile following gum recontouring.
- Natural-looking results. Our dentists pay keen attention to detail. You should not look like you “have had some work done.”
- It can open the way for further cosmetic treatments. For example, you might choose to get veneers.
- The results are long-lasting. In fact, they are likely to be permanent!
- Less gum irritation. You may find that food particles are less likely to irritate your gums.