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Gummy Smile & Gum Contouring
Washington DC

Gummy Smile Gum Contouring

Gummy smile gum contouring is a cosmetic procedure used to change the shape of your gums. We can use this procedure to cut away the excessive gum tissue that is giving you a “gummy” smile or to restore gum tissue that has receded and is now exposing too much of your teeth.

Gummy smile contouring can also be used for medical reason. If you are calling for an evaluation because you are experiencing gum disease, we will first examine you to determine if you have the condition, discuss your treatment options, and then proceed to eliminate the actual disease. You may very well need a gum contouring procedure to restore your gums that have receded and are now putting the health of your teeth, roots, and jawbone at risk. Gum contouring and grafting can help save your teeth.

Usually gum recession is caused by gum disease, but you could also experience gum recession from aggressive tooth brushing, taking a prescription drug, or even your genetics. In any of these cases, as with gum disease, restoring your gum tissue is still necessary for your optimum oral health.

Are You a Candidate for Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring can be a personal decision that is made based on how you feel about your gums. If your gums are uneven, or they cover too much or too little of your teeth, then you may be a good candidate for gum contouring or gum reshaping.

At DC Dental Spa we offer a wide range of periodontal services and are deliberate with our dental exams and checkups.  Our modern dental technology available in our clinic and the peaceful setting will help us carefully evaluate any issues we discover. Call 202-333-9282 for your initial consultation and let us help begin a preventive oral hygiene program that, as we work together, will address your gummy smile and any necessary gum contouring.

Gum shaping and gum contouring are often interchangeable terms Some offices may use the terms based on the dental tools used. At the end of the day the approach and objectives are similar. Both gum contouring and gum reshaping are excellent options to improve gummy smiles and improve your overall gum health. The risks are minimal. You could get an infection or have a bad reaction to the anesthesia. If you have had surgery and anesthesia before, it is unlikely that you will have a bad reaction this time. If you follow the aftercare instructions, your risk for infection will be extremely limited.

Is there Discomfort associated with Gum Contouring?

There can be some discomfort, but you will be given anesthesia during the procedure, which reduce the likelihood of you feeling any pain during the procedure. After that it depends on how much gum tissue is being cut away, shaped, or grafted. Additionally, the type of dental tools used will impact what your gums feel like afterward. Most procedures are done using either scalpels or lasers depending on the complexity.

The Post Procedure Healing Process

The healing process also depends on the type of tools we use to complete the procedure. When we use a scalpel for gum contouring, sutures are necessary and there will be more irritation. Often lasers can treat the gums without cutting or sutures, decreasing your recovery time. You will experience some swelling and discomfort afterward. You can manage it by applying ice packs to your face for 15 minutes at a time and using an over the counter pain medication. There will be diet restrictions. You will need to be careful with what you eat. Since your gums will be sensitive, you must avoid eating anything that is sharp or that could cut, poke, or irritate your gums in any way. For this reason, you will be instructed to stick with a soft diet of yogurt, soup, ice cream, pudding, etc. for a few days. If your gum reshaping was performed using a scalpel, you will be scheduled for a follow-up visit. At that point, we will examine the gums to determine if everything is healing properly. If so, we will let you know when you can return to all your normal dietary habits. We may also prescribe an antibiotic rinse to use to combat any potential infection, and when you do brush your teeth, you must do so very gently and carefully.

Will Your Insurance Plan Cover Gum Contouring?

Insurance coverage depends on whether you are getting the procedure to restore gums damaged by gum disease or if you are having it done to simply remove a gummy smile and improve your appearance. Typically, if it is for health reasons, the insurance company will pay for at least part of it.

What are my other options?

The knowledgeable staff at DC Dental Spa will conduct a thorough examination and take x-rays before discussing why you do not like your smile. We can then go through a series of options on to address it. If you do not need gum reshaping for medical reasons, you can start by having other cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening or dental bonding completed first to see if the changes and results are significant enough for you. If your gums remain an obvious issue, we should explore gum contouring, and we can then make a recommendation for the best way for us to proceed.

High Quality Care You Can Trust

At the downtown office of DC Dental Spa, our attentive staff will work with you to accommodate your busy schedule. The entire team shares in the enjoyment of building strong and lasting relationships with each patient. We very much appreciate that our patients continue to place trust in us through their regular dental exams. We are thoughtful, thorough, and deliberate about exercising preventative overall dental health and delivering the enjoyment that comes with your healthy smile. Visit us today at DC Dental Spa, 730 24th St. NW, Suite 9, Washington, DC, 20037, or call 202-333-9282 for an evaluation and consultation regarding the possibility of you having gummy smile gum contouring to improve your healthy smile.

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