Your gumline should create a subtle and beautiful frame for your smile. But if your gums seem to be trying to steal the spotlight, you might feel a little self-conscious about your appearance. Gum recontouring might be the perfect solution to give you the smile you have always wanted! But you might hold back from attending a consultation with your dentist because you have heard some unpleasant things about this procedure. This blog post aims to clear up some myths so you can make a well-informed decision.
Myth #1: Gum Recontouring Is Extremely Painful
Your dentist wants you to be comfortable, and you can expect them to do all they can to create an easy treatment process. You should be thoroughly numbed for your procedure. Plus, many gum recontouring procedures are performed with soft tissue lasers rather than traditional scalpels. Many patients are amazed by how comfortable their laser-based treatments are. Any post-treatment soreness should be easy to manage.
Myth #2: Gum Recontouring Is Bad for Your Teeth
Some people worry that gum recontouring will result in the removal of too much gum tissue, which would expose their tooth roots and lead to dental problems down the road. Your dentist’s top priority is your oral health, so they would not do anything that poses a major threat to your teeth! Gum recontouring is a low-risk procedure, especially when it is performed by a well-trained dental professional. They will take precautions to remove only as much tissue as necessary.
Myth #3: Gum Recontouring Is Only a Cosmetic Procedure
Gum recontouring certainly has cosmetic benefits. However, it may also benefit your oral health. For example, removing excess gum tissue may be necessary to make room on your teeth for restorative crowns. If you have gum disease, a procedure very similar to gum recontouring might be used to get rid of infected tissue.
Myth #4: Your Gums Will Grow Back After Gum Recontouring
In most cases, the results of gum recontouring are permanent. There may only be slight natural changes in your gumline after your procedure.
Myth #5: Gum Recontouring Is Only for People Who Have a Lot of Gum Tissue
If you have excess gum tissue that is causing your teeth to look overly short or stubby, gum recontouring could be a great option for you. However, even if you do not have a lot of gum tissue, you might consider this procedure if your gumline is uneven. Gum recontouring can very slightly reshape your gum tissue to enhance your smile’s overall appearance.
Meet the Practice
At Orbis Dental Group, we are proud to have an on-staff periodontist (gum specialist) who can perform gum recontouring and related procedures. She uses a soft tissue laser to make the experience as easy and comfortable as possible for patients. If you are interested in gum recontouring or any other services that could enhance your smile’s health and appearance, get in touch with our San Antonio office at 210-496-1919.