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.
It has been a long time since I have had dental care. Finally, I had to reach out because the pain of some teeth that were in really bad shape needed to be dealt with. I was told by previous dentist that these teeth needed to be removed or root canals needed to be done. Those options are not preferable nor affordable. I was taken right in and they immediately took care of the teeth that were causing me the greatest discomfort it was embarrassing because my teeth had gotten so bad yet they made me feel right at home and then made time for me the next day They continue to work with me and I’m so grateful for all their help. What is the difference I would highly recommend this office to anyone seeking compassionate, responsive quality care.
These are highly skilled, kind and considerate professionals. Woman-owned and operated. I recommend them to anyone in southern VT who seeks a caring dentist.
Heather had a harrowing experience getting to work (snow and ice) the day she cleaned my teeth, but she immediately settled down and was gentle and professional throughout. Nice work Heather!
1st time in many years the dentist didn’t come in to check for cancer, review my situation, etc. after a cleaning.
102
Total Reviews
4.9
Average Rating
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.