Tooth Contouring and Reshaping
Gingival sculpting is most commonly performed by periodontists and cosmetic dentists.
What Gingival Sculpting Involves
Gingival sculpting, also known as gingival contouring, is the process of reshaping the gum (gingival) tissue around your teeth. A cosmetic dental treatment that can help reinvent your smile and improve your oral health, gingival sculpting involves a minimally invasive laser procedure to remove and re-sculpt uneven or excessive gingival tissue. Typically, however, soft tissue sculpting also requires bone recontouring that cannot be accomplished with a laser alone. The result is healthy and natural-looking gums for a vital, young-looking and attractive smile that adds to your confidence and appeal.
Gingival sculpting procedures can be performed for cosmetic reasons, as well as for oral health reasons such as poor dental hygiene. The latter can result in the formation of deep gum pockets due to improper tooth brushing and the accumulation of calculus and plaque. Common gingival esthetic problems that can be corrected with gingival sculpting include gummy smile (excessive gingival display), uneven (asymmetrical) gingival contours, the loss of papillae (small amounts of gum tissue between your teeth) and exposed root surfaces.
Gingival sculpting also can help address esthetic concerns of teeth that appear "too small" or are unusually shaped. This may result when the surrounding gum tissue has grown down and over a large portion of the teeth, creating the illusion of small or crooked/oddly angled teeth. The gum contouring process removes and re-shapes the extra gum tissue to lift the gum line and reveal more teeth and/or even out the gum line for enhanced symmetry. This procedure removes extra gum tissue without leaving a deficit and only exposes the part of the tooth that is normally visible.
The minor in-office gum contouring procedure typically requires only one visit of about an hour. After a local anesthetic is applied to the gums, a soft tissue laser is used to trim away, re-contour and seal the excess gum tissue. There is only minor discomfort and no bleeding or stitches are involved.
More commonly, the procedure to reduce tissue and bone requires more time and stitches, yet it creates no pain.
Consultation and Treatment Planning
The fine points of your gingival sculpting consultation and subsequent treatment planning depends on the condition of your gums and your sculpting objectives.
For example, during a regular checkup, your dentist may notice that the gingival tissues surrounding your teeth are receding or excessive. If this is the case, your gingival sculpting consultation may include a discussion of gingival tissue regeneration in order to prevent, correct or stop periodontal disease. Your dentist may suggest multiple treatment options, such as flap surgery, bone grafts, tissue grafts, gingival colored composite build-up or tissue stimulation.
If you are planning a cosmetic dental procedure such as veneers or a smile makeover, your dentist may advise you that the appearance of your gum line is uneven, or that you have too much gum tissue (gummy smile). If gum tissue reduction is necessary, your dentist may discuss laser treatments to remove the excess gum tissue — which require little-to-no healing time — or more invasive surgical options.
As part of your gingival sculpting treatment planning, your dentist also will advise you of the healing times for the procedure you will undergo, as well as whether local anesthesia or sedation dentistry is necessary.
Keep in mind, however, that some gingival sculpting procedures — such as those involved with correcting minor unevenness of your gum line — may be completed without a formal consultation or treatment plan. Today's dental laser technology makes it possible for your dentist to discuss and treat such conditions as gingival asymmetry and gummy smiles during regular visits and/or cleaning appointments. Because every case is different, other situations may require more detailed discussion, planning and consultation.
Recovery and Post Procedure Care
In general, it is not uncommon to experience minor swelling and discomfort after the gingival sculpting procedure. The type of gingival sculpting procedure you undergo will affect your healing time, as well as the level of discomfort you experience during your recovery.
Typically, gingival sculpting procedures require no more than one day for healing; however, your dentist may advise you to follow a strict diet of soft foods or liquids for a few days. If your procedure involves grafts or bone contouring, it will likely involve stitches and your dentist also may limit physical activity to prevent reopening of the surgical site. To relieve pain and, if necessary, prevent infection, your dentist may prescribe medications to be taken as directed.
E-mail: gerwig@gerwigfamilydental.com
