Gum Contouring in Saratoga Springs, NY

Having a beautiful smile is more than having beautiful teeth. You need proper lip support, the right height to your smile, the cheeks (buccal tissue) to be tight to the teeth to eliminate black triangles at the corners of your mouth when you smile, and you need gorgeous gums. Gorgeous gums are pink and firm, they are tight to the tooth and they are symmetrical across the teeth. The gum tissue should not be too high, exposing the root of the tooth, and it should not be too low, making the teeth look short and square. Many patients come to our office seeking a consult because they don’t like the look of their teeth when in actuality they really don’t like the look of their gums.

At Saratoga Springs Family Dentistry in Saratoga Springs, NY, gum contouring is ideal for considerably enriching the aesthetic and health of one's smile. These are a few of its advantages:

• Achieving a more balanced and harmonious gum-to-tooth ratio
• Boosting the overall look of the smile
• Increasing an individual's self-confidence in social and professional settings
• Enhancing total oral health by removing extra gum tissue where bacteria might hide
• Reshaping the gumline to reduce the look of a "gummy smile"
• Swift dental treatment with nominal healing period
• Outcomes that last a long time because gum tissue will not grow back after removed

Sculpting the gums may create a more proportionate smile while helping your oral health. You may be a good candidate for gum sculpting if you would like to enhance your smile by treating a “gummy” look. If your gums appear too low, gum sculpting can create a higher, more even gumline. Gum contouring is also great if you struggle with recurring infections or periodontal disease caused by bacteria trapped under excess gum tissue.

Healthy, well-contoured, pink gum tissue compliments and frames the teeth. The aesthetic framing of the gum tissue is as important to the teeth as the quality of the frame is to a work of art. Gum tissue that is red and swollen, unsymmetrical, and unhealthy detracts from teeth that are otherwise healthy.

Esthetic gum recontouring cannot even be planned until all existing inflammation in the gingival tissue is resolved. When the gums are unhealthy, they appear swollen and “puffy”. Once healthy, the dentist can get an accurate picture of the gingival condition and symmetry. Depending on the periodontal health, the gum healing will begin with a thorough cleaning and improved oral hygiene. Once the hygiene has been established and the gums can be evaluated, the cosmetic dentist is looking to establish gingival contours which are symmetrical on both sides of the mouth, with the gum height even between the two front teeth and at the same height as the two canines. The laterals can range anywhere between 1mm below the height of the centrals to even with the centrals depending on patient preference – what matters most is symmetry.

Depending on how much the gums need to be lifted (or recontoured) determines the type of procedure. Typically, in all of our procedures, diagnostic models with the desired gum lift planned out are made prior to any procedure along with a clear acrylic guide to assist in achieving the desired symmetry. If only a minor lift is needed, the gum tissue is trimmed according to our guide to achieving a more “aesthetically balanced appearance”. This is typically known as a simple gum lift, gingivectomy, or esthetic gum recontouring.

If by removing the excess gum tissue, we feel we may approach the bone supporting the teeth, we may need to consider referral to a periodontist or oral surgeon. In these instances, the bone along the front of the root may also need to be altered. This is done to preserve a principle known as “biologic width”, which if violated, may result in persistent gingival inflammation, redness, and recession around any restorations placed on the teeth involved. Esthetic gum recontouring is a remarkably simple cosmetic procedure that can make a tremendous difference to your smile.

Once your procedure is done, your dentist will explain home care instructions. Your dentist might write a prescription for antibiotic medication if symptoms of an infection were noticed in the process. Your gums may be swollen for several weeks; however, if you follow a proper oral care routine at home of daily flossing and brushing, your gums will begin to return to normal. You should still make appointments for yearly dental examinations so our team can check your oral health.

How much does gum contouring cost?
The cost of gum contouring varies based on the severity of your case, among other factors. Saratoga Springs Family Dentistry will listen to your goals during a consultation, then conduct an in-depth analysis of your teeth and gums. We then create a detailed cost estimate tailored to your specific case.

Is gum contouring covered by insurance?
Medically necessary dental procedures are often covered through insurance. But because gum contouring is a cosmetic treatment, it is not usually covered. Our administrative team is dedicated to making sure procedures are affordable and accessible to patients. Learn about our easy payment plans in New York.

Is gum contouring permanent?
Gum contouring can be permanent since the removed tissue does not return. Patients are encouraged to care for their gums to ensure long-term results, as well as attend regular dental cleanings. Our dental team can also make recommendations about your oral health as needed.

Gum contouring at Saratoga Springs Family Dentistry is an excellent procedure for many reasons — it can enhance the appearance of your smile and lower your risk of gum disease or infection. Whether you want to enhance your smile or have better oral health, gum contouring may be a good choice. If you want more information about this treatment, contact one of our offices in the Saratoga Springs, NY area to book your appointment with one of our experienced dentists.