Many general dentists can perform gum contouring. Before undergoing the procedure, make sure your dentist has the experience and knowledge necessary to perform it. Sometimes, your general dentist may refer you to a periodontist (a gum specialist). Gum contouring is a cosmetic procedure that can change the shape of the gums.
A dentist can use this procedure to cut out the excess gum tissue that makes you smile, or to restore gum tissue that has retracted and is now exposing too much of your teeth. If the shape or appearance of a person's gums is annoying, this process makes sense. In this procedure, the dentist will numb the patient with a local anesthetic to make the person feel comfortable. The dentist will then use a laser to remove excess tissue.
With the laser, the dentist can also reshape the gums and seal them to help prevent bleeding problems. With this same technique, the dentist can also remove the small holes where bacteria are found. This procedure uses specialized tools or a laser to perform ablation, which removes excess gingival tissue that grows on the teeth. Most aesthetic dentists agree that the best smiles only show a small amount of gum tissue, and it's inevitable that more tissue will show up when it gets too much to the teeth.
People interested in doing this should check with the dentist and dental insurance representative to determine if this is a cosmetic treatment.
