Overview
A “gummy smile” occurs when the top part of the tooth is concealed by excessive gum tissue. At Dental Health, gum contouring is performed to sculpt the smile by removing the excess soft tissue and exposing more of the tooth. Not only can gum contouring give you a more aesthetically appealing smile, but it can also improve your oral health by reducing areas where bacteria often gets trapped. This lowers your chances of developing gum disease, tooth decay, and oral infections. Schedule a consultation with our board-certified Dental Health team at our office in Brattleboro, VT to learn more about cosmetic gum contouring.
Best Candidates
Gum contouring can create a more proportionate smile while improving your overall oral health. You may be a candidate for gum contouring if you want to enhance the look of your smile by diminishing a “gummy” appearance. If your gums appear too low, gum contouring can create a higher, more even gumline. This treatment is also beneficial if you have problems with chronic oral infections or gum disease due to bacteria hiding under excess gum tissue.
What to Expect
Gum contouring is an in-office dental procedure done with a mild local anesthetic. Sedation may be an option if you have anxiety or fears about dental treatments. Prior to the actual procedure, your teeth and gums will be cleaned and dried. A member of our team will then use a laser to remove excess gum tissue to sculpt a balanced gumline. The laser seals the tissue for minimal bleeding during the procedure. Once your gumline is the right shape, we will clean your mouth so you can see your results. Generally, the entire procedure can be done in just one visit.
Dental Health Reviews
Excellent dentist. Compassionate and caring. Everything explained well and she's highly skilled.
Best dental office ever! I used to have dental anxiety but no more. They are very gentle.
Amazing staff and dentist. Very clean, and professional but also very welcoming.
Dr Ellison's office is the happiest and friendlyest dental practice I've ever had in my 81 years. I've had all sorts of dental work done at her practice, implants, crowns, extractions and general exams and cleaning. The med techs that assist in all procedures are well educated and trained well. At 81, I wasn't sure about having another implant so I asked Dr Ellison and we had a 20 minute chat to help me with my decision. She went over X-rays and we discussed pros and cons and with her help decided to have an extraction instead of a transplant since it was a tooth in the background and would not be seen when smiling and would not interfere with chewing. At 81 I thought this was a smart choice. Dr Ellison is so pleasant, friendly and professional all at the same time. Same with her entire staff right up to the front desk who are also very helpful in answering questions. I can recommend this dental office wholeheartedly without hesitation.
Very pleased
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Recovery
Following the reshaping procedure, our Dental Health team will explain aftercare instructions. We may prescribe antibiotics if signs of an infection were noticed during the treatment. Your gums may be swollen for a few weeks, but with a proper oral health routine of daily brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use, your gums will begin to heal. You should continue to schedule annual dental exams so we can monitor the health of your teeth and gums.
Insurance Coverage
Since gum contouring is considered a cosmetic dental procedure, it is not typically covered by insurance companies. However, Dental Health accepts many payment methods. Our team will talk about cost estimates during your consultation as well as information on low-interest medical financing to help make your treatment more affordable.
Gum Contouring
Contouring your gums at Dental Health is a great procedure for multiple reasons — it can enhance the overall appearance of a "gummy" smile and it can reduce your risk of an oral infection. Whether you want to have more confidence in your smile or improve your oral health, gum contouring may be a good choice for you. If you would like to learn more about this procedure, contact our office in Brattleboro, VT to book your consultation with Dental Health.