Are You A Candidate For Gum Contouring By A Cosmetic Dentist?

Are you unhappy with your smile because your gum line is uneven or too much of your teeth is covered by your gums? If so, then you should ask your cosmetic dentist about gum contouring. Gum contouring, which is also known as gum sculpting or tissue sculpting, is a procedure that helps balance the uneven gum line so that you can have the smile that you always wanted.

The Procedure
Gum contouring is usually performed under local anesthesia. Lasers, scalpels and other dental tools can be used to reshape the gum line and remove excess gum tissue. Your cosmetic dentistwill perform an examination in order to determine whether this procedure is the right choice for you.

Who Is A Good Candidate For This Procedure?
Most patients who have a gummy smile are considered a good candidate for gum sculpting. A gummy smile is usually caused by an overgrowth of gum tissue. It can also be caused by the natural position of the jaw. Additionally, a gummy smile is often the result of medication side effects. Medications that are used to treat high blood pressure and epilepsy are examples of some of the drugs that can cause a gummy smile.

Below are some examples of some of the problems that can be corrected with gum sculpting:

• Uneven gum line


• Discolored gums


• Teeth that appear too short


• Protruding gums

Many patients who get this procedure often undergo other cosmetic procedures. Porcelain veneers are an example of a procedure that is commonly performed with tissue sculpting. A veneer is a thin, shell-like restoration that is placed over the enamel of the tooth. Teeth whitening is another procedure that is performed along with tissue sculpting. This procedure is used to remove stains that accumulate on the teeth as the result of foods, beverages and the natural aging process.