Gum Contouring

Gum Contouring

Laser gum contouring is a non-invasive procedure used to correct too much or too little gum tissue covering your teeth. This minor surgery may be done for cosmetic reasons or dental health reasons. But no matter why you want the procedure, choose a cosmetic dentist at Atlas Park Dental for the best results. When it comes to gum contouring, the cosmetic dentists at Atlas Park Dental protect your health while improving your smile.

Gum contouring — also known as gingivoplasty, gingivectomy or laser gum contouring surgery — is a procedure that involves reshaping the gum tissue around certain teeth. Gum contouring is done for a variety of reasons, but it’s typically done to correct a dental issue or as a cosmetic procedure.

Gingivoplasty is minor surgery performed to reshape your healthy gum tissue. Doctors at Atlas Park Dental may also perform the procedure if they need to remove diseased gum tissue for health reasons. Thanks to technological advancements, Atlas Park Dental achieves both through laser gum contouring, a procedure that’s not invasive.

Conditions Requiring Gum Reduction

If your gums are uneven — or if they cover too much or too little of your teeth — gum contouring surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure. That means your insurance may not cover it. If your gum tissue is diseased, it becomes a medically necessary procedure. Other conditions that cause you to need laser gum contouring include:

• Gummy smile. Excess tissue covers your teeth, making them appear shorter than they really are.
• Asymmetrical gums. When your gums are uneven because of damage they’ve sustained or from previous dentistry procedures, corrective surgery can make a huge difference in your smile.
• Cleft gums. In some instances, this is a congenital condition. In others, necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is the reason for clefts in your gums.
• Enlarged gums. Swollen gums that cover up too much of your teeth may be a sign of a dangerous infection. Typically, this condition is caused by improper brushing or flossing, changes in hormones, chemotherapy, gum disease, the use of tobacco or irritation caused by the dental products you use.

If you have any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your periodontics dentist at Atlas Park Dental. The sooner, the better. Laser gum contouring can improve all these conditions, so don’t delay!

What’s Involved and What to Expect from the Procedure

You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for the procedure other than limiting your activities that day. Your cosmetic dentist at Atlas Park Dental applies local anesthesia to numb the area being treated. If you feel a lot of anxiety, you may ask for full sedation, but it’s unusual, since laser gum contouring isn’t painful when done by a skilled, experienced dentist at Atlas Park Dental in Glendale, NY.

A completely safe, soft-tissue laser is used for gum reduction. You may experience some minor discomfort during the laser gum contouring, but most patients report no pain or bleeding. Stitches are not necessary. The entire process takes place in your dentist’s office, and it’s over in less than an hour. It’s a highly successful procedure with minimal risks.

Risks Involved with Gum Contouring Surgery

There is always some risk associated with surgery, even minor surgery. Laser surgery is minimally invasive, so it carries less risk. You can reduce your risk even more by choosing a dentist who has performed the procedure many times. At Atlas Park Dental, you get experience and skill in one place. Your dentist also knows your history and your desires, which help ensure a successful outcome.

While gum contouring is a common procedure, you’re advised to have it done by a trusted cosmetic dentist. At Atlas Park Dental, you get the best care, which reduces the chance of side effects and complications. Some of the rare but possible risks of the procedure include:

• Experiencing abnormal gum swelling. This condition is treatable with ice packs.
• Having your gums bleed more than normal. Some bleeding may occur naturally.
• Removing too much gum tissue, which can cause your gums to heal incorrectly. If this happens, you may experience swelling of your gum tissue that may require another procedure to repair.

Choose a Cosmetic Dentist

Expect your recovery time to last seven to 10 days. Your dentist gives you specific aftercare instructions to follow during your recovery. Rinsing your mouth with eight ounces of water containing one capful of hydrogen peroxide helps the healing process. Your gums may be sensitive during this time. Eat softer foods and brush gingerly.

Whether you’re having gum contouring surgery for cosmetic or oral health reasons, find an experienced cosmetic dentist near Glendale. A cosmetic dentist is acutely aware of improving your appearance while dedicated to keeping you healthy. Atlas Park Dental offers both cosmetic and functional gum reduction for patients, providing a complete smile makeover, including gum contouring, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, and dental bonding in Glendale and nearby Queens neighborhoods, including:

• Ridgewood
• Maspeth
• Middle Village
• Woodhaven
• Rego Park
• Forest Hills
• Elmhurst