When many people think of a perfect smile, they focus on bright, white, straight teeth. However, many patients fail to realize that there’s another component as well: great looking gums.
Some patients have gums that are too high, and others have gums that are too low. The causes vary – genetics plays a part, but certain prescription drugs can cause gums that cover more of your teeth than normal, and activities such as smoking can cause gum recession, causing your teeth to look longer than expected.
Thankfully, this can be treated by your dental professional. Gum contouring is typically considered a cosmetic procedure – most insurance plans do not consider it medically necessary and will not cover the costs. However, it is available from many dental and periodontal offices. For severe cases of gum recession, exposed tooth roots can cause gum contouring to be considered a medical necessity, as the receding tissue can contribute to long term problems such as tooth decay and tooth loss.
But, how is it done? The procedure can be done with traditional surgical techniques or lasers – ask your dentist to determine which they recommend. In many cases, local anesthesia is sufficient, though general anesthesia may be considered for larger procedures. And you will be happy to know that the recovery is typically straightforward – there is some bleeding and swelling to be expected, but generally the soreness will subside within a week and you can go back to your daily activities. At the end of the procedure, the patient can look forward to a gum line that is both healthy and cosmetically appealing. Find out if gum contouring is the best option for you.
Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. James Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.
Dr. Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.
