- What Is a Gummy Smile?
- Laser Gum Reshaping Benefits
- Gummy Smile Laser Treatment
- Laser Gum Reshaping Recovery
- Laser Gum Reshaping Cost
What Is A Gummy Smile?
An excessive amount of gum coverage can hide large portions of your teeth and eventually cause you to be self-conscious about your smile. This genetic feature is commonly referred to as a “gummy smile.” Gum reshaping and contouring techniques at our Odessa-area cosmetic dentistry practice can help you evenly raise your gum line to expose more of your teeth. This procedure is also sometimes referred to as gingivectomy, crown lengthening, or a smile lift. Dr. Robin Rutherford, our highly-trained and experienced cosmetic dentist, will utilize laser dentistry technology to safely and effectively recontour your gums and help you reveal your beautiful smile.
What Are The Benefits Of Laser Gum Reshaping?
Advanced diode laser technology gives our cosmetic dentist, Dr. Robin Rutherford, precision control to address your individual needs and achieve the best possible results for your smile. Each gum recontouring procedure is customized to meet the patient’s expectations and optimize the proportion of the teeth and gum tissue. In general, patients can expect the following benefits from gum reshaping with the diode laser:
- Virtually painless reshaping of gum tissue
- A more symmetrical gum line
- A more aesthetically pleasing gum-to-tooth ratio
- Minimized bleeding and swelling
- Quick procedure time
- Reduced recovery time
In many cases, gum reshaping is performed for cosmetic reasons. The procedure may also be necessary prior to a restorative dentistry procedure, such as porcelain veneers or a dental crown, to provide better support for the restoration. Gum reshaping may also be used to gain better access to a decayed tooth in order to eliminate the decay and reinforce the natural tooth structure. Finally, some patients who are preparing for orthodontics such as Six Month Smiles® may benefit from gum recontouring before beginning their treatment.
What Does Gummy Smile Laser Treatment Involve?
To determine if you are a good candidate for laser gum reshaping, Dr. Rutherford will carefully review your medical history, perform an oral exam, and thoroughly discuss your goals; he may also conduct digital imaging tests using our advanced i-CAT® Precise Cone Beam 3D imaging system. Using this information, Dr. Rutherford will create a customized treatment plan for your gum reshaping.
Before the procedure begins, a dental cleaning will be performed. A numbing agent may also be administered prior to gum reshaping to maximize your comfort. During your procedure, Dr. Rutherford will guide laser energy emitted from the diode laser system over your gum line. The laser energy effectively removes the undesired gum tissue and enables the symmetrical reshaping of your gums with the utmost precision. By utilizing his aesthetic expertise, Dr. Rutherford can help patients achieve results that look both natural and beautiful. Treatment times may vary depending on the amount of gum tissue you need removed, but most procedures can be completed in under one hour.
What Is Recovery Like After Laser Gum Reshaping?
Due to its minimally-invasive nature, gum contouring with the diode laser is relatively painless, and mild discomfort is typically experienced during the recovery. Minor swelling and bleeding can be expected; however, any downtime is generally minimal. Your beautiful new smile results will be visible immediately following your procedure.
How Much Does Gum Reshaping Cost?
There is no set cost for gum reshaping since every patient requires a custom treatment plan. During the consultation process, Dr. Rutherford will take into account the number of teeth that require gum reshaping, the price of cleaning the teeth prior to treatment, and whether restorations are needed to reinforce the tooth structure before providing you with a quote. Some patients may also require a small amount of bone removal to achieve their goals, which would be added to the total cost of the procedure. When gum reshaping is performed as part of a medically necessary dental restoration, your dental insurance may cover a portion of the cost. Patients without dental insurance or patients who could benefit from a more flexible payment plan can take advantage of our dental financing options. For more information about how you can obtain dental financing with little to no interest, feel free to reach out to our office, and one of our knowledgeable staff members can assist you.
Contact The Art Of Dentistry
To learn more about gum reshaping, or for any questions you may have in regards to gum care, please contact The Art of Dentistry today. Our staff will be happy to provide you with more information on our gum contouring techniques, as well as help you schedule a private consultation with Dr. Rutherford.