Many people focus on the appearance of their teeth alone, but your gum tissue has an equal impact on the overall look of your smile. At Nawrocki Dental, we offer gum recontouring and crown lengthening to improve the proportion of your gums and teeth and give you beautiful results. We can also use these procedures for therapeutic purposes prior to doing other types of dental work such as a veneer, crown, or bridge. If you have any cosmetic concerns about your gums, contact us to schedule a consultation – you might be surprised at how easy it is to change the shape and appearance of your gums through gum recontouring in Cocoa Beach, FL!
What Is Gum Recontouring?
Gum recontouring is a procedure that reshapes the way your gums fit around your teeth by removing excess gum tissue. In most cases, it’s done to lengthen the teeth and reduce a “gummy” smile, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
However, gum recontouring can also be used to correct gum recession, where the natural gumline has “pulled back” and exposed the sensitive root structure underneath. In this situation, the gumline is simply placed closer to its original position where it can cover and protect the root of the tooth the way it should.
Should I Consider Gum Recontouring?
Gum recontouring works for many people but, since everyone has unique circumstances, the best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nawrocki. One of the criteria we’ll look for is that your oral and overall health are reasonably good so that you can heal properly after the procedure.
What Is the Gum Recontouring Process?
We’ll start by reviewing the process so you know what to expect. Then we’ll use a special pen to draw the new gumline and make sure you approve. Next, we’ll make sure the area is fully numb so you’ll remain comfortable throughout the procedure. We’ll make small incisions in the gum tissue, remove the excess, and place small stitches.
Finally, we’ll talk about any pain medication that’s necessary and give you post-operative instructions for how to care for your gums while they’re healing (e.g., which foods to avoid, the use of an antibacterial mouthwash, and how to keep the area clean when brushing).
Much of your healing will take place in the first few days, but it will take several weeks or months before you’ll be fully healed.
Is Crown Lengthening the Same as Gum Recontouring?
These two procedures are essentially the same thing but have different purposes. Gum recontouring is often done for cosmetic reasons, while crown lengthening is done prior to a dental restoration such as a crown, bridge, or veneer.
In these cases, there isn’t enough of the crown of the tooth (the visible portion you see above the gumline) to accommodate a restoration. Crown lengthening exposes more of the crown so the dental procedure can be done.
