Have you ever heard of gum reduction or gum reshaping? This is a cosmetic dental procedure that helps to uncover more of your teeth. The procedure is considered to be surgical, but is done safely in a dental office. It’s a painless and simple procedure!
You can choose to have gum reduction through surgery but make sure your teeth and gum are healthy at the time of surgery. Sometimes there are medical conditions or medications that can lead to a “gummy smile”. Another cause can be from your genetic makeup, if other people in your family have a gummy smile. The extra gum tissue doesn’t serve any beneficial purpose, so you don’t have to worry about getting rid of it! Removing this excess can help uncover a beautiful smile!
Before you get a gum reduction, we will mark where the new gums will be on the model by doing a series of diagnosis and analysis. This will give you a good idea of the change. The procedure is accomplished with a laser or scalpel with a local or topical anesthetic. This way – you won’t feel any pain during the procedure!
Recovery may take a little bit of time. The following day, we recommend you rest following the surgery. Pain should be minimal and you can take Tylenol or ibuprofen should you feel anything. Aspirin should be avoided as it can increase bleeding. To avoid causing irritation, choose soft, cool foods until your gums heal. Make sure to follow up with us and we’ll help you with guidance on how to brush and floss your teeth post procedure!
Let’s get you the smile you deserve at ToothMatters! Should you suffer from gummy smile, consult us first at ToothMatters!
– Dr. Richard Gao