Gum Recontouring Bellingham
Creating the Perfect Frame for Your Smile
When you smile, are your teeth the star of the show? Or do you see a lot of gum tissue? If the latter is the case, you may have a cosmetic issue that is commonly known as a gummy (or “crowded”) smile. Fortunately, we can help! Our Bellingham cosmetic dentistry team at Young Dental is pleased to offer gum recontouring, a minimally invasive service that can help your mouth take on a more proportionate, more attractive appearance. Get in touch with us today to learn more or request a consultation.
Why Choose Young Dental for Gum Recontouring?
- Highly Skilled & Detail-Oriented Dental Team
- Beautiful, Natural-Looking Results That Last
- Low-Interest Financing Available through CareCredit
What Is Gum Recontouring?
Gum recontouring can go by a few different names, such as gingivoplasty, gum contouring, and gummy smile correction. In some cases, it is called crown lengthening, though technically, that is a slightly different procedure.
However you refer to it, gum recontouring is a minimally invasive procedure wherein we use special instruments to remove excess or uneven gum tissue. This exposes more of the underlying dentition, thereby making your teeth appear longer and granting a more proportionate appearance to your smile.
The Benefits of Gum Recontouring
Some of the top benefits of gum recontouring include:
- The procedure is minimally invasive.
- The results are likely to be permanent.
- The results look very natural.
- In addition to improving your appearance, gum recontouring may also improve your oral health; you may find that your gums become less vulnerable to irritation from food particles.
- Gum recontouring can make you a better candidate for other cosmetic treatments, such as veneers.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Gum Recontouring?
Gum recontouring might be a suitable treatment for you if:
- You feel self-conscious because a lot of gum tissue is visible when you smile.
- Your gummy smile is due to extra gum tissue, rather than an upper lip that retracts too far when you smile.
- Your gumline is uneven.
- Food particles frequently irritate your gums because they cover too much of your teeth.
After we examine your mouth and learn about your cosmetic goals, we can determine whether gum recontouring is a good fit for you.
How Does the Gum Recontouring Procedure Work?
The gum recontouring procedure is pretty straightforward. First, we will numb your mouth so you remain comfortable throughout your appointment. In some cases, we may also administer sedation. Once you are settled in, we will get to work by carefully removing extra gum tissue that is interfering with your smile’s appearance or health.
Once the procedure is finished, we will send you home so you can recover. You may need to eat a modified diet for a while to minimize irritation to your gums. Our team will provide detailed post-op instructions.
Depending on the extent of the gum recontouring that you need, we might have to break up your procedure across multiple appointments.