Gummy Smile & Gum Contouring

Patients who have a gummy smile or an uneven gum line may be good candidates for crown lengthening or shortening.

Gummy Smile &
Gum Contouring

Patients who have a gummy smile or an uneven gum line may be good candidates for crown lengthening or shortening.

Gummy Smile & Gum Contouring in Port Huron, MI

A gummy smile is categorized by patients who have an imbalanced ratio of gums to teeth under their upper lift to the point where excessive visible gum tissue makes teeth appear to be smaller than they are. Though a gummy smile is not necessarily an indication of an underlying oral health issue, there are multiple conditions that can cause a gummy smile to develop. Patients who are self-conscious about their gummy smile and are seeking a cosmetic correction may be good candidates for gum contouring, a relatively non-invasive, quick, and effective method of correcting a gummy smile by removing small amounts of gum tissue, and sometimes a little bone, until the proper ratio of gums to teeth is reached.

At Periodontic Associates of Port Huron, we are committed to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. In addition to offering treatment for gummy smile, including gum contouring, our office provides a range of services, ranging from regular periodontal maintenance, laser dentistry protocols, bone grafting procedures, dental implants, and more. Whatever your needs may be, our team is on hand to create a treatment plan designed to improve your oral health.

To learn more about gum contouring or ways of treating a gummy smile, please read below. To schedule an appointment for gum contouring or any other procedure, new patients can contact us at (810) 987-1400 and current patients can contact us at (810) 987-1400 .

Trust Our
Periodontal & Dental Implant Specialists

Become a patient of our practice and you will be treated to an unparalleled dental experience. We pride ourselves on going the extra mile to take care of our patients and consistently provide the high level of service you deserve.

What to Expect During the Gum Contouring & Gummy Smile Process

Prior to performing the gum contouring procedure, we will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, bite, plaque and bone structure and review your medical and oral health history. It may also be necessary to take an X-Ray or other diagnostics to identify underlying issues and determine whether gum contouring is necessary. If it is determined that gum contouring is the best treatment option for you, the procedure will typically include the following steps:

  • A local anesthetic and/or dental sedation is administered to reduce pain, discomfort, and/or anxiety during the procedure.
  • Next, we will use a scalpel, laser, or combination of both to remove small portions of your gum until the desired ratio of gum to teeth is achieved.
  • If gum contouring is being done it may also be necessary to make small modifications to the underlying bone to ensure proper long-term results.
  • The area is then cleaned and sutured shut so it can heal. If necessary, bandages will also be placed for added protection.

Cost of Gum Contouring and/or Correcting a Gummy Smile

At Periodontic Associates of Port Huron, we are committed to making sure you understand what the cost of treatment will be and will do everything we can to help you maximize your dental health benefits and explore third-party financing plans if necessary. One of our business coordinators will be happy to conduct a complimentary benefits analysis for you when you are in the office.

If you do not have insurance and are concerned about the cost of periodontal care, you are not alone. We understand that cost of periodontal treatment is one of the biggest concerns our patients have and are committed to ensuring our patients receive the care they deserve, and that cost of treatment does not prevent this from happening. To learn more about all the financial options we offer, contact our office today.

For your convenience, we accept cash, check, credit cards, and financing.

Contact Our
Professionals

Our goal is to help you achieve and maintain a beautiful and healthy smile for life. Let our experienced team create a treatment plan that will improve your oral health and enhance your quality of life.

Aftercare Instructions Following Gum Contouring

Following your gum contouring procedure, it is essential that you closely follow aftercare instructions provided by your periodontist. In addition to following these instructions, additional steps you can take to minimize post-procedural issues include:

  • Discomfort or pain can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription pain relieving medication. Follow recommended dosages, and if prescribed painkillers, take as directed until the prescription runs out.
  • Swelling can be controlled by placing ice packs over the affected area for ten to fifteen minutes at a time. It is important to not leave the ice pack on for too long, as doing so reduces blood flow, which can slow the healing process.
  • Avoid using a straw, rinsing, or spitting for 24 hours.
  • Avoid hard or crunchy foods and follow a soft food diet (yogurt, pudding, applesauce, soup) for at least one week. You may begin to slowly reintroduce harder foods as discomfort subsides and healing progresses.
  • Rest as much as possible and avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 48 hours, possibly longer depending on the severity of your case.

 

Following this recovery process, it is important to continue practicing good oral hygiene habits to maintain the health of your gums and oral health. Schedule regular periodontal maintenance every six months or with greater frequency depending upon the severity of your case. These visits allow us to perform a thorough examination of your oral health, and if any issue is detected, begin treating that issue as soon as possible. Additionally, we can provide a professional cleaning to eliminate plaque and calculus using specialized instruments that normal brushing methods cannot remove.

While these regular appointments are a critical component to enjoying good oral health, the type of self-care you follow at home is even more important. In addition to brushing and flossing twice daily, eat healthy, avoid use of tobacco, and take efforts to avoid being sedentary and reducing high levels of stress, as both are linked as underlying causes of systemic issues, including periodontal disease. By making a commitment to following a consistent oral health routine and living a healthy lifestyle, you will significantly reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease and enjoy improved overall oral and physical health.

Beautiful Smiles
Last a Lifetime

Our goal is to help you achieve and maintain a beautiful and healthy smile for life. Whether this can be achieved with dental implants, bone grafting procedures, laser dentistry protocols, or other periodontal services, we will work to ensure you can maintain that beautiful smile for years to come.

Personalized Care and High Quality Services

At Periodontic Associates of Port Huron, you can be confident that you will have an unparalleled dental experience. Our team of experienced and dedicated professionals are committed to providing the highest level of periodontal support and taking time to get to know our patients. We believe that developing this level of trust and open communication is an essential component to understanding your unique needs and providing you with optimal care.

If you have additional questions about gum contouring or correcting a gummy smile, or would like to schedule an appointment, new patients can contact us at (810) 987-1400 and current patients can contact us at (810) 987-1400 .

We look forward to providing you with the extra attention you deserve!

Authentic & Satisfied.
Patient Outcomes.