Is Gum Contouring Right for You?
It is important to not underestimate the importance of having a smile you are confident in. Although some people may consider cosmetic dentistry to be unnecessary, having a healthy, balanced looking smile can have a tremendous impact on all sorts of areas in a person’s life, including romantic pursuits, job prospects, and one’s overall sense of self-confidence.
Gum contouring is one of the safest and most effective ways to create a smile that is balanced and aesthetically pleasing. This procedure can be especially impactful for patients who have a gummy smile, a condition characterized by an excess of gingival tissue, which causes an individual’s teeth to appear smaller than they actually are. Gum contouring may also be performed on patients who have periodontal disease as part of a larger treatment plan. If your periodontist has recommended gum contouring to help treat periodontal disease, it is important to carefully consider this recommendation to ensure that you sustain your overall oral health.
If you are considering having a gum contouring procedure but are not sure whether it is worth the cost and time involved, it may be helpful to consider the benefits and the drawbacks to help make an informed decision.
While everyone will have a slightly different experience, many of the benefits commonly cited by people who have had a gum contouring procedure include:
- Improved aesthetic appearance of their smile
- Increase in self-confidence
- Procedure was relatively painless with a quick recovery time
- Results were immediate and long-lasting
- Only required one visit
- Improved overall oral health
While these are all wonderful aspects of having the gum contouring procedure performed, there are some drawbacks to consider as well. One of the biggest considerations for patients who are uncertain whether or not to have the gum contouring procedure performed is the cost involved. If gum contouring is being performed as an elective procedure, it will likely not be covered by a dental benefit plan. Fortunately, many offices offer financing options, so if the cost of treatment is a significant concern, talk to your periodontist about whether there are payment options available that will allow you to pay for the procedure in installments.
Another important consideration for some people is the pain involved in having the procedure performed and having to go through a recovery period. While you will experience some mild discomfort following the procedure and have to follow a modified diet for a few days, the long-term benefits of having a smile you can be confident in typically outweigh this brief period of time. The gum contouring procedure is also very safe, with low risks of contraindications and long-lasting results, provided patients follow good oral hygiene habits following their procedure.
If you are still uncertain about whether or not gum contouring is right for you, schedule a consultation with your periodontist, who can answer any questions you may have, discuss your treatment goals, and help you determine whether to pursue this procedure or not.