Cosmetic dentistry is often focused on the teeth, from removing stains to reshaping teeth or even correcting their position in your smile. However, your gum tissues can also have a major impact on the health and beauty of your smile In order to correct these concerns, your Gary, IN, dentist may recommend gum contouring using advanced laser dentistry.
When Do Gums Need Contouring?
If you have a gummy smile, which is a term for a smile that displays too much gum tissue when you smile, then we may suggest contouring. Excessive gingival display could make your teeth appear small or uneven. We will first examine your smile and plan your treatment, creating an image of what your new smile could potentially look like. Once you and the dentist agree on a plan of action, then we can begin treatment.
Laser Dentistry
We start by administering nitrous oxide sedation to help you enter a calm and relaxed state. You will have little to no memory of the procedure, and the sedation will wear off almost immediately once we complete the contouring. Using a dental laser, the dentist will carefully trim the gum line, removing excess tissue. The soft-tissue laser will cauterize the area, preventing bleeding and swelling. Since this technology is incredibly precise, this reduces the risk of damage to healthy tissue, and also facilitates a shorter healing time with little to no risk of infection. Following treatment, for the first 24 hours avoid brushing the gums and strenuous activities as the area heals. You can take a simple over-the-counter pain reliever to ease discomfort.
Treating Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease occurs when the gum tissue becomes irritated and inflamed, eventually allowing bacteria to gain access to deep periodontal pockets that from as the gingival tissue pulls away from the teeth. The disease cannot be cured, but with treatment we can manage to successfully protect your smile from periodontitis, the advanced stage linked to adult tooth loss. Using a soft tissue laser, we may be able to removed disease tissue and allow healthy tissue to attach to the teeth, closing periodontal pockets and managing the disease! If you have any questions about using advanced technology to improve smile beauty or treat periodontal concerns, then please contact our team today to discuss possible treatment options.
Does Your Smile Need Cosmetic Care?
We want to help our patients enjoy optimal oral health and stunning smiles. Whether you’re at risk of suffering serious periodontal issues, or you would like us to address your gummy smile quickly and efficiently, we can help with cosmetic contouring. To learn more about how we improve smile beauty with cosmetic dental care, schedule your visit with Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry in Gary, IN, today by calling 219-938-2637.