We all want to have a beautiful smile. But sometimes when we smile, our gums are more visible than our teeth, right? Or the gum line may not be at the same level, but in some places it may be higher and in some places it may be lower. This can be a big problem for some people. This is what we call a "gummy smile" in colloquial terms. So if you have this problem, don't worry about it. Today we are going to talk about a treatment that can give your smile a new look.
Simply put, what is Gum Contouring?
Gum Contouring is, simply put, a dental procedure that reshapes or reshapes your gums. It is also called gum contouring. This treatment is usually performed by a dentist who specializes in gum disease. It involves removing excess tissue from your gums and reshaping the gum line to make your teeth look more attractive. This will help your teeth look less square and give your smile a more beautiful, balanced appearance.
Who is this treatment really suitable for?
Since this is a cosmetic treatment, you may want to consider this if you are unhappy with your smile. This treatment may be a good solution for you, especially if you have the following problems:
| Problem | What does this mean? |
|---|---|
| A gummy smile | When you smile, your gums are more visible than your teeth. The medical name for this is Excessive Gingival Display. |
| An uneven gum edge | The gum line appears uneven, with some teeth going up and some teeth going down. |
| Gum recession due to dental braces | Some people may develop a little extra gum growth after getting braces. This treatment is also used to remove that extra growth. |
What happens before treatment?
Once you decide to have this treatment, you will first have a discussion with your dentist. There,
- He will talk about your goals: what kind of smile you want, what you don't like about your smile, and what you need to improve. He may take pictures of your smile and together you can develop the best treatment plan.
- Get an oral exam: Before undergoing a cosmetic procedure like this, your oral health should be in good condition . If you have any other problems, such as cavities or gum disease, they should be treated first.
- Taking measurements: The ratio of your gums to your teeth, the position of your lips, the alignment of your teeth, and the bone structure of your face determine how much gum tissue needs to be removed. This is how you can achieve a balanced, beautiful appearance.
- Bone Level Check: Sometimes it may be necessary to remove a very small amount of bone around the tooth. If this is not done, the gums may grow back to where they were. However, this is not necessary for everyone. Your doctor will tell you whether you need this or not.
What happens during treatment?
This is not a major surgery. It can usually be completed within an hour or two. Let's take a step-by-step look at what happens during the treatment.
1. Numbness: First, your doctor will use local anesthesia to numb only the gum area. So you won't feel any pain. Some people may also be given sedation to help with the anxiety. If you're expecting this, talk to your doctor about it during your initial consultation. If that's the case, you may need someone to drive you home.
2. Marking the new gum line: Using a special pen, you mark where your new gum line should be.
3. Removal of excess tissue: Next, excess gum tissue beyond the marked line is removed. This is done traditionally using a small surgical knife (scalpel) or, with modern technology, using a laser .
4. Bone preparation (only if necessary): As mentioned earlier, only if necessary, a very small amount of bone is removed from around the teeth.
5. Gum shaping: The remaining gums are reshaped to create a balanced, beautiful appearance.
6. Suturing (only if necessary): A few small stitches (sutures) may be placed only if necessary to control bleeding.
What can you expect after treatment?
After this treatment, your smile will look much better and more beautiful. However, as with any treatment, there are some risks and things to be aware of.
What are the benefits?
- Your smile will look the same, balanced .
- The teeth no longer look short, but start to look bigger and more beautiful .
- If the gum line was uneven, it will be corrected and a beautiful shape will be achieved.
Risks and complications
These are very rare things.
- Occurrence of an infection.
- Regrowth of gum tissue (Relapse). (This risk is usually lower when some bone is removed.)
- Sometimes, to get the best results you want, you may need other dental treatments like crowns, veneers, or treatments like Botox® to reposition your lips.
How long will it take to recover? What should I do at home?
Most people recover completely in as little as a week . The table below lists some things you can do to help them recover quickly and easily.
| What to do during recovery | Why is that? |
|---|---|
| Use medications correctly | It is normal to feel some pain or discomfort after the treatment. Take painkillers (e.g. Panadol®, Brufen®) as prescribed by your doctor. If you are given antibiotics to prevent infection, take them for the prescribed period. |
| Avoid exercise and weight lifting. | Bleeding, swelling, and pain may increase as your heart rate increases. So, avoid going to the gym or lifting weights for the first 5 days. |
| Keep the treated area clean. | Reducing bacteria in your mouth will speed up the healing process. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to brush and floss your teeth. They may also recommend using an antiseptic mouthwash. |
| Eat soft foods. | For the first few days, eat things like yogurt, eggs, pasta, well-cooked vegetables, and fruit juices (smoothies). Avoid spicy, hard, and hard-to-digest foods (e.g., cashews, chips) for a week. |
When should I see the doctor immediately?
After treatment, if any of the following symptoms occur, call your dentist immediately.
- If you have severe pain that cannot be controlled even with medication.
- If the bleeding cannot be stopped .
- If you have a fever higher than 39.4 Celsius (103 Fahrenheit) .
- If there is pus or signs of infection at the treated area.
Is this treatment permanent? Is it worth it?
In most cases, the results of Gum Contouring are permanent . However, very rarely, the gums can regrow. Therefore, it is important to have it done by a qualified, experienced doctor.
The answer to the question, "Is it worth it?" varies from person to person. If you're not really happy with your smile, but it will boost your self-confidence, it may be worth it. Ask yourself these questions before making a decision:
- Am I really sad about my smile?
- Will this change affect my self-confidence?
- Will other dental treatments be needed in addition to this?
- Can I maintain good oral health after treatment?
- Am I confident that my doctor understands my goals?
If you are embarrassed or embarrassed about your smile, it can even affect the way you interact with the world. Gum Contouring may be a good solution. If you want to know more about this, talk to your dentist.
Take-Home Message
- Gum Contouring is a cosmetic treatment to enhance your smile, rather than a necessary medical procedure.
- Before undergoing this treatment, your teeth and gums must not have any medical conditions (cavities, gum disease) .
- Before treatment, talk to your dentist clearly about the change you want.
- It is very important to eat soft foods and keep your mouth clean during the recovery period.
- When performed by a qualified physician, this is a very safe and permanent treatment.
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