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 smile. Fortunately, treatment can help! Our Bellingham cosmetic dentistry team 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.
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.
Some of the top benefits of gum recontouring include:
Gum recontouring might be a suitable treatment for you if:
After we examine your mouth and learn about your cosmetic goals, we can determine whether gum recontouring is a good fit for you.
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.
