Your smile isn't just a superficial notion and it can have a significant impact on your overall self-confidence. In fact, there is much more going on behind the scenes of a smile than many people realize, like how it impacts mood, emotions, and relationships.



The appearance of your gums is a significant part of your smile, and having a gummy smile can make your self-confidence fall flat. It can also feel overwhelming to even consider addressing it, especially if you have dental anxiety. Procedures like gum contouring can improve your smile, making you shine with confidence. So what is gum contouring and what does it involve?

Read on to learn everything you need to know about gum contouring, its benefits, and where to find an experienced dentist in Arlington, TX.

What Is Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring, also known as gingivoplasty, is a procedure typically done by a cosmetic dentist. Gum contouring involves reshaping the gumline by removing excess gum tissue around the teeth.

On the other hand, gum contouring can also involve restoring gum tissue around the teeth if you have receding gums.

Gum contouring benefits people who have a "gummy smile" which can make teeth look short or misshapen. In most cases, gum contouring improves the appearance of your smile. However, other people have this procedure to help with gum disease treatment since it can help address receding gums.

What Conditions Can Gum Contouring Treat?

Your dentist may recommend gum contouring if you have an uneven gum line or gum overgrowth due to wearing braces.

Your dentist may also suggest gum contouring after you've been through gum disease treatments like dental cleanings and antibiotics to improve long-term gum health.

What Causes Uneven Gums?

People with receding gums have difficulty with uneven-appearing gums. Receding gums occur when your gums pull back from your teeth, eventually exposing the tooth root surfaces.

Most of the time receding gums are due to periodontal disease (gum disease) that is no longer in the beginning stages. Gum disease begins when you get a buildup of plaque and bacteria around the gumline.

Early-stage gum disease is gingivitis, and if you catch it at this time, you can reverse the damage. However, if plaque and bacteria are not removed, more will form. Eventually, this leads to deep pockets of infection in the gums that form around your teeth.

Other causes of receding gums include:

• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Hormonal changes
• Hardened plaque (tartar) buildup
• Aggressive brushing
• Family history of gum disease

Finally, certain medications can cause dry mouth which increases the risk of receding gums.

What Are the Benefits of Gum Contouring?

The biggest benefit of gum contouring is its ability to reshape your gum line. Gum contouring gives you a straighter, more symmetrical smile by:

• Making your teeth more proportional
• Making small teeth larger
• Eliminating extra gum tissue

These improvements not only improve your smile but also your confidence and outlook on life.

Since gum recession causes gum tissues to pull back, it exposes too much of your teeth, hastening tooth decay. Gum contouring can fix this, which can make your teeth healthier overall.

Who Is a Candidate for Gum Contouring?

You'll first need to meet with a dentist to get an evaluation of your teeth and gums. If you have problems with cavities or gum disease, you'll need a treatment plan for these issues before anything else.

Your dentist will also need to know more about your overall health, such as chronic conditions and prescription medications that could impact your results. For example, certain medications for high blood pressure, seizures, and immunosuppressants can cause gum overgrowth.

You'll also discuss your smile goals, focusing on what you'd like to improve. Your dentist will look at factors like your smile line and facial symmetry to ensure gum contouring is right for you.

What Does the Gum Contouring Procedure Involve?

First, your dentist will give you local anesthesia to numb the gum area. This ensures you don't feel any pain during the procedure.

Your dentist may also have other sedation options available for you. Additional sedation like nitrous oxide or conscious sedation can reduce anxiety and save your dentist time since they can work faster. You'll discuss sedation options before the procedure to allow you to arrange transportation.

For most types of gum contouring procedures, dentists utilize either a scalpel or a laser. Laser gum surgery involves a handheld laser that removes excess gum tissue and reshapes the remaining tissue.

If you have issues with gum recession, your dentist may need to add gum tissue to certain areas of your gums. This typically comes from another part of your mouth, like the palate. Your dentist will discuss this with you before the procedure.

You may also need sutures to hold the gum tissue in place. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour, but this depends on how much contouring you need. 

What Does Recovery Involve?

The great thing about gum contouring is it doesn't involve much downtime. You'll only need to limit your activities for the first day or two, depending on how you're feeling.

The biggest part of the recovery process is healing, which can take between 1 to 2 weeks. Your gums may feel tender and sensitive after the procedure, so your dentist will recommend soft foods like soup and yogurt.

You may need an antibiotic mouth rinse and will need to follow up with your dentist within a week after the procedure.

See a Dentist Today About Gum Contouring

Now that you know the answer to the question "What is gum contouring?" you'll be much less nervous talking to a dentist about this option.

Your next step is to find an experienced dentist in Arlington, TX, like Heather E. Martinson, DDS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. In addition to gum contouring, we offer a variety of dentistry services including preventative care, crowns, bridges, root canals, extractions, and cosmetic dentistry like veneers, implants, and teeth whitening.

We make your comfort our top priority and have sedation options like nitrous oxide, zen chairs, and other comfort amenities to ease any dental anxieties.

We look forward to helping you achieve a confident and healthy smile, so make sure to contact us today to schedule an appointment.