Benefits of Laser Gum Sculpting

People used to correct gums through conventional surgery that was painful and often caused bleeding. Now there is laser gum sculpting.

Laser gum sculpting or contouring is a cosmetic procedure done to treat uneven gums or gums that cover up a large part of their teeth producing a “gummy” smile. It can also be done to correct receding gums.

How is gum contouring done?

The dental surgeon starts by numbing the patient’s mouth with a local anesthetic. He then uses a diode laser to trim away excess gum tissue and sculpt a more uniform gum line.

Diode lasers cauterize while they cut which reduces both bleeding and the risk of infection. The procedure is typically done in the dentist’s office.

Gum sculpting can be either done alone or in conjunction with other procedures. This is especially apt to be the case if the patient’s gums are receding.

What happens during the recovery?

The patient’s gums will be sore and swollen for up to a week, but the patient should still be able to chew, talk, and drink with minimal trouble. The dentist will recommend a pain reliever.

He may also advise the patient to eat soft foods for several days and avoid food that is spicy or has seeds in it. The patient should be gentle when brushing and flossing their teeth.

The most common complication associated with gum sculpting include an allergic reaction to the anesthetic.

Who is a good candidate for laser gum sculpting?

A good candidate for laser gum sculpting will be a person with healthy teeth and gums. People who have gum disease or periodontal disease should not have any cosmetic gum surgery done until they had the other conditions treated.

Good candidates for laser gum sculpting include people with gummy smiles, uneven gum lines or teeth that appear too short because the gums extend too far.

Laser gum surgery can also help people having crowns or veneers installed by making them appear to be in better proportion.

What is a diode laser?

A diode laser has a wavelength between 655 to 980 nm, and it uses heat to “melt” tissue. It is used only for operations involving soft tissues.

It can penetrate two or three mm into tissue. It has many uses in dental surgery because it is accurate and causes very little bleeding.

In addition to laser gum sculpting, the diode laser is also used to whiten teeth and desensitize teeth.

If you are interested in laser gum sculpting, contact Runnels Orthodontics today to make an appointment.