Laser Gum Recontouring

Even if a person has teeth that are straight, healthy, and even, the beauty of their smile may be diminished by gums that extend too far, making teeth look too small. Many dentists refer to this as a "gummy" smile, and it can cause people to feel self-conscious. Ideally, the gums should appear even and smooth, and should act as a frame to complement a person's smile, rather than as a distraction from it. Fortunately, a "gummy" smile can now be fixed in a cosmetic dentistry procedure that is fast and pain free. Patients who have uneven gums or gums that extend to mask a significant portion of their teeth are excellent candidates for laser gum recontouring, also known as gum lifting.

The Gum Recontouring Procedure

In the past, patients who were troubled with "gummy" smiles could have the prominence of their gums reduced with a scalpel, which could cause bleeding and an uncomfortable recovery. Now, with the advent of the diode laser, patients can have their gums sculpted to perfectly accent their smiles in a fast, simple, and virtually painless procedure.

To begin the laser gum recontouring process, the patient's mouth is numbed with a local anesthetic to eliminate any discomfort. The dentist will then use a diode laser to gently cut away excess gum tissue and sculpt a more uniform, scalloped gum line. Diode lasers cauterize while they cut, which means less bleeding and a dramatically reduced chance of infection for patients. The entire gum lifting procedure can be completed in just one brief visit to the dentist's office.

After his or her gum lifting procedure, a patient may experience sore or swollen gums for up to a week. The discomfort should be minimal, however, and will not interfere with daily activities such as speaking, eating, or drinking.

Find a Cosmetic Laser Dentist

If you are troubled by a "gummy" smile or gums that appear uneven, laser gum recontouring may be the solution for you. Use DocShop to research and contact a laser dentist near you, and take the first step to unmasking your beautiful smile.