People have different teeth and gum lines. Some gum lines may be high, some may be low, and some may even be uneven. Usually, the shape of your gum lines is entirely harmless and does not mean anything. However, if you want to modify your gums because of feeling self-conscious, New York periodontal reshaping can undoubtedly help you do so.
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What is Cosmetic Gum Contouring?
Gum contouring is a dental procedure performed by a dental specialist. People are often insecure about their smiles because of how their gums appear. In this procedure, the doctor cuts and removes excess gum from your teeth for a gum-less smile. If you have an uneven gum line, they even it by removing parts of the gum and leveling it.
Procedure
The procedure is usually done in a dentist or periodontist’s office. The doctor first gives you local anesthesia to numb the area, so you remain awake to watch the procedure being done.
Scalpels, lasers, and radiosurgery is used to perform gum contouring. Your doctor will use the scalpel or the laser to remove excess gum so that more of your teeth are exposed. They will then resculpt the gum line and perform sutures to hold the gum in place.
Laser treatment is the most advanced solution, and your doctor is more likely to use it. It is a quick and painless process. Moreover, the opened gums will close during the surgery itself and thus, would not require sutures. This closure also eliminates the risk of blood loss.
The length of your surgery will depend on the amount of contouring that needs to be done. Typically, these surgeries do not take more than 2 hours.
Does gum contouring hurt?
The short answer to this is no; it does not. Before the surgery, your doctor gives you local anesthesia; therefore, you will not feel a thing. Your gums will be numb the entire time, giving you a painless experience.
If you are opting for laser treatment, you may not even need the anesthesia at all. However, you may experience a little pain and tenderness after the surgery when the anesthesia wears off. For the pain, your doctor will prescribe you over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) which will help relieve the pain.
If you do not want to take medications, you can try cold compressing like ice packs.
Cost
The cost of gum contouring may vary depending on the extent of your surgery. Typically, costs range from $50 to $350 for one tooth or up to $3000 for your entire front top teeth.
If you are unhappy with how your smile looks, you can change it today. Contact 286 Madison Dental to improve your smile as well as your confidence.