Gum Laser Recontouring And Surgery – All You Need To Know

It isn’t always the teeth that cause aesthetic problems when you smile – in some cases, it’s your gums.

Take a gummy smile, for instance. This occurs when too much gum is on show when you smile. While it might not seem like a major problem, for many people, it can overshadow great-looking upper teeth and can detract from the perfect smile, causing a loss of confidence and self-esteem. In some instances, it could be a sign of other orthodontic issues, which we’ll explain in a bit.

That’s the bad news out of the way. The good news is that it’s an easy problem to fix using the latest technique known as gum laser recontouring and surgery. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how gum laser recontouring works, let’s take a look at why people end up with a gummy smile.

Irregular tooth eruption

Excess gum tissue in the upper jaw (the factor that causes a gummy smile) can often be the result of an irregular eruption of the teeth – these are teeth that have broken through and are not in the correct position or have abnormal shaping. Any additional gum tissue can make a person’s teeth appear shorter than they are. But that’s not all;

Lip hyperactivity

A gummy smile can also be caused by a hyperactive lip. This is a condition where the lip rises more than usual when a person smiles, exposing more of the gum than you might normally see. Finally, one last problem that may cause too much gum to be on display when smiling is jawbone positioning.

Overbites

Issues with the positioning of the upper jaw can also cause gummy problems, particularly in cases of overbite and are thought to be prevalent in around 70% of cases.

As you can see, for some people, a gummy smile is an aesthetic problem, while for others, it can signify other dental complications. Either way, laser gum recontouring is a proven easy-fix solution that works. In fact, many patients who experience gum recontouring surgery before and after are amazed at how such a simple procedure can be so life-changing.

How gum laser recontouring and surgery works

Firstly, this is a procedure carried out chairside in the dental practice and not in a hospital setting. Once the patient has undergone a mild local anaesthetic to numb the gum area, a dental laser (known as a soft tissue laser) is used to quickly and carefully remove the excess tissue.

Any remaining tissue is recontoured into the perfect shape to frame the teeth. During the reshaping process, the laser also cauterises the gum to prevent any bleeding, thus negating the need for sutures. All the above is carried out in just one sitting – easy, simple, yet incredibly effective!

What to expect post-treatment

Typically, gum laser contouring and surgery patients can expect to feel gum tenderness, sensitivity, and even mild swelling in the ensuing hours and days after treatment. In most cases, however, patients can expect to return to their normal daily activities the day after surgery. Any symptoms should disappear within 7-10 days.

But don’t worry, though; you won’t be left to your own devices because your dentist will give you instructions on how to effectively care for your gums post-surgery. All you have to do is to follow them to aid a speedy recovery.

The following advice will aid in a speedy recovery:

• Maintaining a consistent oral health routine – taking care when brushing and flossing the area.
• Using a soft-bristled brush.
• Using a saline rinse – A combination of one part salt to eight parts warm water.
• Eating softer foods for the first few days, including yoghurt, scrambled eggs, fish, and pasta.
• Avoid spicy foods or foods containing seeds such as kiwis, strawberries, poppy seeds, or popcorn.
• Keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Avoid strenuous exercise.

So far, we’ve talked about aesthetic problems such as a gummy smile, why you might need gum contouring surgery, the before and after effects, and what you can expect. But one thing we haven’t covered is…

Who else is a good candidate for laser gum recontouring?

Of course, you have patients who aren’t (for whatever reason) happy with their gummy smile, but in addition, some patients seek this ground-breaking procedure for reasons that go beyond aesthetic factors.

Severe gingival infections

Those with gum issues caused by gingival infections or periodontal disease, for instance, may undergo laser gum recontouring and reshaping to remove any pockets where bacteria and food particles may accumulate. This is known as gingival flap surgery. If not treated, the problem can leave teeth vulnerable to decay.

Problematic gum recession

If you have experienced shrinking gums caused by severe gum recession, then you may also benefit greatly from laser gum surgery. As periodontal disease takes hold, gums shrink, causing teeth to become exposed, particularly the roots. This can cause sensitivity and pain. Laser gum surgery can be used to reconstruct missing gum and protect the exposed tooth.

Crown lengthening

Sometimes disease or trauma can cause a tooth to become damaged below the gum line. Gum laser recontouring and surgery can be used to expose the damaged tooth so that it can be repaired and (if necessary) to ensure proper attachment of a protective dental crown.
State-of-the-art gum laser recontouring techniques and surgery provide excellent cosmetic benefits and can also alleviate many problematic gum issues that may otherwise leave teeth vulnerable to decay.

Now you know what the procedure entails…

What about the laser gum contouring cost?

You’d be forgiven for thinking that state-of-the-art laser treatment will set you back a small fortune. However, in truth, patients who require this type of surgery can make a dramatic difference to their smile for a relatively small cost – usually somewhere in the region of £150 – £300.

Surprising, right? The point to remember, however, is that, in general, gum contouring or laser gum surgery does not provide a complete ‘fix all’ solution. Instead, it often plays a small but essential part in an overall restorative programme designed to provide full restoration to your smile. In some cases, your dentist may have to carry out extra steps such as;

• Removing bone from the top of your teeth to stop gums from growing back.
• Scaling and root planing in the case of gingival infections.
• Fixing an affected tooth and attaching a dental crown after crown lengthening.

As in all cases, your dentist will give you a full treatment plan after an initial assessment, so you’ll know exactly what needs to be done and when. If it’s been suggested that you might benefit from gum laser recontouring and surgery and are seeking out ‘laser gum contouring near me’, you’ll be surprised to learn that this technique is becoming widely practised.

Here at Cheadle Hulme Dental and Cosmetics, we offer this treatment as one of our advanced dental treatments. Why not book a consultation with Dr Karim and the team where we can show you a wealth of gum contouring surgery before and after pictures to show just how successful and easy the process is?

To book your appointment, call us on 01614 860 743 or visit our website. On behalf of the team, we look forward to helping you to create the healthy smile you want.