Do You Feel Like Your Gums Show Too Much When You Smile?
When your gums are too high on the teeth, they make your teeth look shorter. Actually, the excess gum tissue is simply covering the tooth. You probably think of it as a “gummy smile,” and it can make you self-conscious when talking with others in close proximity or whenever you pose for photos.
Excess gum tissue can stop you from showcasing your beautiful smile to the world — but it doesn’t have to! With gum recontouring, also called gum contouring surgery, you can achieve a smile you love.
Dr. Pappas uses a diode laser for gum recontouring, lengthening the visible portion of the tooth. This procedure is very effective, safe, and has a short recovery period.
What Is Gum Recontouring?
Many people feel self-conscious about having a gummy smile, but they are not aware of their treatment options. Excess gum tissue can be genetic, a side effect of certain prescription medications, or a result of certain health conditions and hormonal changes.
When Dr. Pappas performs gum recontouring, the gum line is raised so more of the crown (the visible portion of the tooth) is visible. Gum recontouring makes your teeth look longer, a key to improving your smile.
Technology has really improved these treatments. Before the advent of dental lasers, gum contouring was done with a scalpel. As you would assume, this created a painful, lengthy recovery. Now, thanks to our laser technology, gum recontouring procedures are fast, simple, and virtually painless at Arcadia Dental Arts.
Good Candidates For Gum Recontouring
If your gums are overly visible, you’re a good candidate for gum recontouring with Dr. Pappas. These are typically cosmetic treatments to remove excess gum tissue and show more of the tooth surface. This makes the teeth look longer. That’s why gum recontouring is often known as crown lengthening — it makes the crown of the tooth look longer.
Dr. Pappas also uses our diode laser to remove infected gum tissue, but this is more of a treatment for gum disease than aesthetic gum contouring.
The gums and surrounding areas are completely numbed before your procedure. Dr. Pappas uses the diode laser for gum contouring. The laser energy gently removes excess gum tissue, creating a more uniform, natural-looking scalloped gum line.
What Are the Advantages of Using a Diode Laser for Gum Recontouring?
Our diode laser instantly vaporizes the unwanted gum tissue, simultaneously cauterizing the cutting line. This has numerous advantages:
- No need for sutures
- Less bleeding
- Dramatically lower chances of infection
- Easier recovery
- Faster treatment times
Recovery From Gum Contouring
Following your gum contouring with Dr. Pappas, your gums may be sore and slightly swollen for a few days. The discomfort is minimal, however, and won’t preclude you from eating or drinking normally. You’ll need to avoid overly spicy foods and foods with seeds for a few days, but that’s about it. Ibuprofen will handle any discomfort. The difference between our use of lasers for these treatments compared to the old methods of scalpels and sutures is nothing short of amazing.
Can The Laser Energy Damage My Teeth?
The FDA first approved diode lasers for dental use over 25 years ago. They were studied extensively prior to that approval. The key is the difference in density between the gum tissue and the tooth. The laser wavelength is set to vaporize the gum tissue while leaving the tooth behind it unaffected.
The Potential Risks Involved With Gum Recontouring
Compared to the excessive bleeding and risk of infection that accompanied gum recontouring done with a scalpel, there is very little risk with laser gum contouring. The laser energy provides a precise cut, cauterizes the tissue instantly to minimize bleeding, and makes the procedure relatively simple.
What Happens During Treatment?
Dr. Pappas will first meet with you to discuss your candidacy for laser gum recontouring. As long as you have good oral health and do not have any underlying conditions that make you ineligible for surgery, you should be able to receive the treatment without a problem. Some patients may take antibiotics before treatment, but you can feel confident knowing the risk of any potential complications is drastically lowered when using lasers instead of traditional dental tools.
You will receive local anesthesia or sedation before the procedure to ensure you are completely comfortable throughout the treatment. Dr. Pappas will mark the location of your new gum line with a special pen and then start to remove the excess gum tissue.
Some patients may also have some bone removed around each tooth, but this is not always necessary.
Dr. Pappas will ensure that your new smile is uniform to complete the procedure. Afterward, you will either be able to drive yourself home (if you received local anesthesia) or go home with someone who accompanied you to the procedure.
We will help you prepare for your gum recontouring procedure so you are not only prepared for the treatment but also caring for yourself afterward.
Are The Results From Laser Gum Recontouring Permanent?
Your new higher, scalloped gum line created by Dr. Pappas is permanent. The excess gum tissue he has removed will not regenerate, so you’ll enjoy your new smile for the rest of your life.
Patient Testimonial
"Been coming here for years. Clean and professional. They treat you as part of the family. But more importantly, they know what they're doing when it comes to teeth. Can't imagine going anywhere else."
-Daniel G.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you are interested in laser gum recontouring in Phoenix, AZ, call our office today at 602.957.9643 to find out how a simple, in-office procedure can help you reshape your smile.
