Gum Recontouring: What Is It, and Is It Safe?

One of the reasons that knowledgeable oral health professionals are so important is to help patients understand more about the treatments that they’re getting. Dentistry and periodontics are nothing to be scared of, and teaching people more about the field is an excellent way to deal with the dental anxiety many people tend to deal with.

An excellent example is gum recontouring, a cosmetic treatment that many patients don’t know all that much about. You might wonder what this procedure is and whether it’s safe; here’s some information you might find useful.

What is Gum Recontouring?
First of all, it may be smart to give you a sense of what this treatment actually is, as well as how it’s done. Gum recontouring is done to reshape the gumline, addressing so-called “gummy smiles”. This involves removing excess gum tissue from around the teeth, revealing more enamel and giving the patient a bigger smile.

While this was traditionally done with a scalpel, many practices use dental lasers to trim away gum tissue. This has the benefit of closing the wound as it works, making the procedure much less invasive.

Is Gum Recontouring Safe?

Of course, every treatment involves some level of risk, especially if it’s done by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. However, gum recontouring is incredibly safe when performed by a trained professional.

Gum recontouring typically involves only removing a miniscule amount of gum tissue, and when done with lasers the wounds are closed incredibly quickly. This not only reduces bleeding, it also significantly decreases the odds of developing an infection.

All this is to say that gum recontouring is an effective, simple, and low-risk condition. When done by a professional with the right tools, the treatment is incredibly safe.

Gum Recontouring Aftercare

You can further reduce the risks associated with the procedure by being diligent with aftercare. You should work to keep your smile clean after the treatment, gently swishing around saltwater in order to disinfect and bring down swelling. You might also be sore for a few days, so you should make use of over-the-counter pain relievers in order to remain comfortable.

So long as you follow your periodontist’s instructions, you can get gum recontouring without worrying about any danger associated with the treatment.

About the Author

Dr. Jonathan Ross believes that the most important skill that a periodontist can have is the ability to grow. He works tirelessly to make the work that he is as safe and efficient as possible for his patients, making use of the latest technology in oral medicine, like laser periodontics. Dr. Ross received his degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, and his periodontal training from the Medical University of South Carolina.

If you have any questions about gum recontouring, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (440) 461-6008.