Our Most Asked Questions About Gum Contouring
In the last five or so years, make up artists, celebrities and social media have pointed out the apparent importance of contouring your face to define your features. But what does “contouring” have to do with smiles?
Gum contouring is a popular and effective way to transform the appearance of your smile by making minimal changes to the shape of your gums and teeth.
Some people may have a “gummy smile” that they are self-conscious about, which is where gum contouring can come to the rescue.
We’ve pulled together some of the most frequently asked questions we get about gum contouring to help you understand the procedure before you come in for a consultation.
WHAT IS GUM CONTOURING?
Gum contouring is a simple cosmetic procedure that involves removing excess gum tissue to shape the gums in a more aesthetically pleasing way, generally to improve a “gummy smile”.
At Pitt Street Dental Centre, we use state-of-the-art technology to laser away the extra tissue, leaving you with a balanced smile you love.
IS IT A COSMETIC PROCEDURE OR A MEDICAL PROCEDURE?
Gum contouring is primarily a cosmetic procedure, using lasers to quickly and conveniently remove excess gum tissue without the need for incisions or sutures.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR GUM CONTOURING?
If you have excess gum tissue, giving the appearance of a gummy smile, you are likely a good candidate for gum contouring. However, at Pitt Street Dental Centre, we require each patient to attend a consultation prior to undergoing any procedure.
During the consultation, we can discuss your suitability as a gum contouring patient and address any areas of concern you may have around the procedure.
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE LIKE?
Once you have had your consultation and booked in for another visit, your gum contouring procedure is done in one appointment and is quick, efficient and relatively pain-free.
Local anaesthetic is administered to the gums, then your Pitt Street Dental cosmetic dentist will use a purpose-built laser light to reshape the gums and remove extra tissue using thermal energy. Cool, huh?
PAIN LEVELS
Thanks to the improvements in technology, gum contouring does not require incisions or sutures to close the wound, leaving each patient with minimal pain, discomfort and swelling once the anaesthetic has worn off.
RECOVERY
Recovery from the procedure may take up to two weeks. During this time, your dentist will provide you with aftercare support to guide you through the recovery process and ensure you recover sooner.
As your gums will be sensitive after the procedure, we recommend you avoid any irritating foods, like spicy meals, cold items like ice-cream or cold drinks, and boiling hot food.
To keep up your dental hygiene and improve the healing process, we also recommend salt water rinses, regular brushing and gentle flossing during your recovery.
DOES GUM CONTOURING CARRY RISKS?
Any dental procedure can carry risks, so it is important to discuss your situation with your dentist during the consultation phase.
While our team at Pitt Street Dental Centre will do everything we can to minimise risk, patients may experience an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, an infection post-procedure or they may find that the gum tissue relapses or regrows after they have had gum contouring.
If you experience any issues with your gums or teeth post-procedure, it is important you contact Pitt Street Dental Centre immediately.
ARE GUM CONTOURING AND GUM SHAPING DIFFERENT?
The terms ‘gum contouring’ and ‘gum shaping’ are used interchangeably by our team at Pitt Street Dental Centre, as a gum contouring procedure is used to shape the excessive gum tissue around each tooth.
CHOOSE PITT STREET DENTAL FOR YOUR GUM CONTOURING
Gum contouring is a great way to restore your self-confidence and reduce the appearance of your ‘gummy smile’ with a simple procedure.
At Pitt Street Dental Centre, we are passionate about giving patients the smile they always dreamed of, all while upholding our commitment to professional and friendly care.
If you’re interested in gum contouring or you would like to come in for a consultation, contact our team at Pitt Street Dental Centre today for more information.
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