Expert Gum Contouring in San Jose, CA
Are your gums receding, or do your teeth appear abnormally long when you smile? If so, gum contouring might be something you want to think about. Dennis Baik, DDS, provides gum contouring as a cosmetic dental treatment in San Jose, CA, to help improve the look of your smile.
At Dennis Baik, DDS we speak with patients who are dissatisfied with the appearance or shape of their gums. While most people think of things like teeth whitening when considering how to improve their smile, the appearance of the gums also makes a significant impact. If you feel that yours are too large or have receded and are too small, call (408) 226-5560 and schedule an appointment with our dental office. We can examine you, make recommendations, and let you know whether we can assist you or if you should see a specialist. In the meantime, here are a few frequently asked questions about gum contouring and our answers to them.
What is Gum Contouring?
Gum contouring, also known as gum reshaping, is a cosmetic dentistry procedure used to repair receding or uneven gum lines. It is a popular treatment because it produces significant results for a person’s smile. It might make teeth look more proportional and smile more symmetrical.
What Happens in a Gum Contouring Treatment?
Local anesthetic is used to numb your gums before the gum contouring procedure begins. After that, your gums are restructured using a laser so your gum line looks uniform when you smile. Gum tissue from different areas of your oral cavity can be used to cover your teeth to help them look proportionate.
Depending on how many teeth need to be treated, gum contouring surgery usually takes one to two hours. The effects of the local anesthetic will wear off over a few hours following the surgery, but you may feel some mild discomfort as it happens. Dr. Baik will prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to help relieve any pain.
Gum Contouring FAQs
How do I know if I need gum contouring?
Typically, this is a highly personal decision that is made based on how you feel about your gums. If your gums are uneven, or they cover too much or too little of your teeth, then you may be a good candidate for gum contouring or gum reshaping. To find out, call (408) 226-5560 and schedule an appointment with our dental office.
Is there pain associated with the procedure?
There can be, but you will be medicated during the procedure, which will reduce the likelihood of you feeling any pain. The amount of pain really depends on how much gum tissue is being cut away, shaped, or grafted. Additionally, the type of dental tools in the procedure will impact what your gums feel like afterward. Currently, dentists are using both scalpels and lasers to complete gum procedures.
What is the recovery time like?
This also heavily depends on the type of tools used to complete the procedure. When a scalpel is used for gum contouring, sutures will be necessary and there will be more overall irritation. Very often, lasers can treat the gums without cutting or suturing, decreasing the recovery time. Regardless, you will experience some swelling and discomfort afterward. You can manage it by applying ice packs to your face for 15 minutes at a time and using ibuprofen.
Are there any restrictions during recovery?
Yes. You will need to be careful with what you eat. Since your gums will be sensitive, you should avoid eating anything that is sharp or that could cut, poke, or irritate them in any way. For this reason, most people stick with a soft diet of yogurt, soup, ice cream, or pudding for a couple of days. If your gum reshaping was performed using a scalpel, you will likely be scheduled for a follow-up visit. At that point, your dentist will examine the gums to determine if everything is healing properly, and if it is, they will let you know when you can return to all your normal dietary habits. Additionally, you may be prescribed an antibiotic rinse to use to combat a potential infection, and when you do brush your teeth, you will need to do so very gently.
Is gum shaping different from gum contouring?
These terms are used interchangeably by dentists who perform them. Some may use contouring to describe the procedure with the use of a scalpel and reshaping when lasers are used. At the end of the day, the approach and objective are very similar. It is the tools that are different. The key is that if you want your gums to look different, it doesn’t matter which term is used, both contouring and reshaping can be an excellent solution.
Is this purely a cosmetic procedure, or is there a medical reason for contouring and shaping?
That depends on why you want to schedule a gum reshaping. If you are calling our office because you suffer from gum disease, we will first examine you to determine if you have the condition, discuss your treatment options, and work to eliminate the actual disease. At that point, you may very well need a gum contouring procedure to restore gums that have receded and are now putting the health of your teeth, roots, and jawbone at risk. Gum contouring and grafting can help save your teeth.
While typically gum recession is caused by gum disease, you could also experience this due to excessive tooth brushing, taking a prescription drug, or even genetics. In this case, as with gum disease, restoring your gum tissue may become necessary for your optimum oral health.
Will insurance pay for it?
That really depends on your insurance company and whether you are getting the procedure to restore gums ravaged by gum disease or if you are having it done to simply remove a gummy smile and improve your appearance. Typically, if it is for health reasons, the insurance company will pay for at least part of it.
What are the risks associated with gum reshaping?
You could get an infection or have a bad reaction to the anesthesia. If you have had surgery and anesthesia before, it is unlikely that you will have a bad reaction this time. Simultaneously, if you follow the aftercare instructions, your risk for infection will go down significantly.
What are my other options?
If you do not like the appearance of your smile, call (408) 226-5560 and schedule an appointment with our dental office. We can conduct a thorough examination and take X-rays before discussing what you do not like about your smile. We can then make a series of recommendations for how to address it. If you don’t need gum reshaping for medical reasons, you can always have other cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening or dental bonding completed first to see if the impact is significant enough for you. Otherwise, if your gums remain an obvious issue, you should explore gum contouring further, and we can then make a recommendation for the best way for you to proceed.
Post-Surgery Recovery Tips
The discomfort associated with gum contouring normally goes away in a week or less. The number of teeth treated and how effectively your body heals will determine how long it takes you to recover. Dr. Baik will go over what to expect in your particular case.
You will recover faster if you take your medication as prescribed and refrain from heavy lifting, which might cause bleeding. Keeping your mouth clean is also advised. It is also best to follow our dentist’s advice for brushing and mouthwash use while you’re recovering.
Lastly, when recovering from the operation, Dr. Baik usually recommends eating only soft foods. These include yogurt, noodles, eggs, cooked vegetables, and smoothies. Your gums will heal more quickly if you eat these items during the first several days.
Reshape Your Gums for a Balanced Smile
By altering your gum line, gum contouring improves the appearance of your smile. For those who want to make their smile appear even more beautiful, this cosmetic dental treatment is an excellent option. Dennis Baik, DDS, provides gum reshaping in San Jose, CA, to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.