Gum contouring is a dental procedure that involves smoothing the appearance of the gums, using excess tissue removal or healing treatments. This happens when the patient has too deep gums or when they cover part of the tooth, which results in an uneven smile.
We all have a different smile, which is unique to each person. Many are not satisfied with the natural look. That is why there are dental procedures with which we can afford the smile of our dreams. Gum reshaping is just one of the procedures performed in a dental clinic.
Today, with this article, we will learn more about the intervention known as gum contouring, when and how it is performed, how fast the recovery is, and how permanent the results are.
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Where to do it?
You must always find a clinic or practice that you trust. Make an appointment and see what happens next. Nowadays, many services are available to us and we can easily rely on the experiences of other patients. You can look to SmileDental for yourself as an excellent example of how such a procedure should be carried out.
Of course, if you don’t know exactly what gum contouring involves, then you can schedule a consultation with a dentist and learn more about the procedure. But we will also try to explain it to you briefly.
What is gum contouring?
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This is a simple procedure that is medically shaping your gumline. The process involves removing excess tissue around the teeth or encouraging growth. We could also say that in most cases, it is only an aesthetic need. However, there are certain situations in which there are also medical indications for gum contouring.
Such cases are periodontitis, but also dental pockets, to avoid further tissue damage. It is also sometimes necessary to inflict mechanical injury, in order to stimulate proper healing of the gums.
The good thing is that the recovery process after the intervention is quite short and successful in almost all patients, no matter what the purpose of the contouring was.
How does gum contouring help in the aesthetic appearance of the smile?
Many people are not satisfied with their smiles, so they rarely show their teeth. It’s really sad because people are the most beautiful when they smile, no matter what shape their teeth are. But when the appearance of the smile affects self-esteem badly, then all available options should be considered.
For example, if you suffer from recessed gums, you often think that there is nothing you can do to improve the condition. Unfortunately, this dental condition makes the teeth more sensitive to food and external influences, but it also makes it easier for dental plaque to form. It can result in visually elongated teeth, which have irregularities in color.
In this case, doctors use tissue from other parts of the mouth so that it can heal with the damaged tissue. Then the smile returns to its normal state.
Of course, there is also a condition in which the palate covers most of the teeth, making them look really small. Sometimes this condition is genetically defined, but there are cases when it is a consequence of disease, therapy, or injury.
In such a case, an incision is made on the gums and they are left to heal themselves until the desired contour is obtained.
What can you expect after the procedure?
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When gum contouring is done, the next stage is your recovery. Most of the time, you should rest for a few days and avoid eating solid food, due to the sensitivity of the teeth. Sometimes it can take up to a week. Most of the time, within 7-10 days your mouth is back to the condition it was before the surgery.
In consultation with a doctor, you can also use painkillers, if necessary.
The good thing about this intervention is that the results of gum contouring are visible immediately. However, it takes the wounds to heal before you can see exactly what your improved smile looks like.
When it comes to taking care of dental hygiene, you do everything as before. If there is a need for additional preparations, you will receive a recommendation from your doctor.
The most important thing is to eat food that is soft and at the correct temperature. Avoid hot spices, seeds, and nuts. In general, avoid any food that can cause tissue injury even if you have had no intervention at all. If you stick to these tips, recovery is faster and can be less than a week.
How to deal with pain?
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In the first month after the procedure, it is completely normal for your gums to be sensitive and to feel pain. Fortunately, gum contouring is not a very painful procedure. But you can always take a prescribed pain reliever. Never do it on your own, but consult your doctor.
It is quite possible that in the first month you will also feel discomfort while eating. But it will go by really fast. You must also know that if everything is in order, the aesthetic results are visible after a week, although it is possible to still feel a little pain.
Therefore, we recommend that you consult the dentist or dental surgeon who performed the procedure in time. It will help you know what to do if you have an attack of pain or sudden discomfort in your teeth.
This is a completely normal part of recovery and you should be prepared for the fact that pain is quite possible. However, a part of your gums is cut, so that an aesthetic correction can be made for a more beautiful smile.
Conclusion
We hope that this information is useful to you and that you are sufficiently informed about what to do in case you need gum contouring. Find a professional dental clinic to make sure everything will be fine. This is really important for you as a patient. If the intervention is professional, recovery is short and effective. And we’re sure you don’t want to wait too long until you can smile really big and wholeheartedly again.
