Once upon a time, gum surgery was performed only to repair problems associated with gum disease. But today it's frequently used to improve appearances.
Have you ever heard the expression, "She's looking long in the tooth"? As aging occurs, gums may shrink--giving the appearance of lengthening teeth. Gum recession is also caused by stress on the gums caused by a bad bite.
A cosmetic dentist or periodontist can remove tissue from the roof of your mouth and graft it onto the gum line. This tends to give your smile a natural, youthful appearance.
If you suffer from the opposite problem, your teeth appear short. Gum sculpting may be the solution. The dentist can use a laser to remove the excess tissue of your "gummy" smile. More of your natural tooth will be exposed.
Often, surgery on the gums for purely cosmetic reasons has the happy side effect of improved gum health. Correction of receding gums may reduce tooth sensitivity to cold or hot foods or liquids. It might also reduce further gum shrinkage and protect roots from decay.
Gum sculpting is surgery, and should be considered seriously. Not everyone is a candidate. Surgery may be done in segments under local anesthetic. If the entire mouth is being worked on at one time, general anesthesia (in which the patient is "put under") might be used. Or the doctor may use "conscious sedation," which means the patient is less aware but still awake.
How about that four-letter word, "pain"? Advances in technique, medications, anesthesia, and anxiety control make current treatment much more comfortable and pleasant.
Discuss your cosmetic gum surgery options with a cosmetic dentist or periodontist.
Ask about:
- Costs
- Insurance coverage
- Discomfort
- Risks
- The procedure he/she recommends for your situation
- Follow-up care
- Recovery time
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