Healing After Gum Contouring

The healing time after a gum contouring procedure is based on the extent of the procedure and your ability to follow the suggested orders of your dentist when heading home. Let’s look at first why you would consider the procedure, the simple gum contouring procedure and the precautions to observe through the healing process.

What is a Gummy Smile

When you naturally smile you should see about two to three millimeters of soft tissue. If that amount is closer to four millimeters or above the proportion of tissue to teeth becomes out of balance. It will leave you will the negative perception that your teeth are short and stubby. Your smile a very valuable asset to you, your personality and your mental state of mind. A smile is foundational when it comes to self-esteem and self-confidence. If you don’t care for your smile you will begin to change your interactions in both your personal and professional circles. Sometimes this imbalance is genetic, while other times is might be the result of decay or even medical prescriptions.

The Gum Contouring Procedure

A simple cosmetic process, the gingival recontouring addresses the soft tissue that can be easily removed immediately changing the proportions of teeth to tissue ratio. The tissue involved will first be numbed with a local anesthetic. Then the dentist or periodontist will use a surgical scalpel or a dental laser to remove the unwanted tissue. The laser actually cauterizes the tissue as it is cut minimizing bleeding. The scalpel will result in minor bleeding.

The Healing Process after Gum Contouring

The healing process will be determined by the extent of the procedure and the amount of tissue removed. If a laser was used the tissue is cauterized immediately during the procedure and minimizes any blood loss. If a scalpel is used you may be dealing with some scabbing. Either way you can expect some swelling and discomfort initially. The most practical suggestion will be to use a saline rinse for a day or two, to avoid smoking and alcohol and to consider a diet of soft foods. The gum tissue will heal quickly, seven to possibly ten days, leaving you with a beautiful refined smile. You will be given instructions on how to brush your teeth and gums through the healing process. After the soft tissue has healed the health industry strongly encourages that you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at each time. The industry also would like to see you floss at least once a day to get to those hard to reach areas. If you build and maintain these strong at-home oral hygiene habits and schedule regular examinations with your dentist twice a year you will ensure that you can keep that new smile as that invaluable asset. Professional cleaning after those exams is also very beneficial to make sure your teeth and gums continue to be healthy. Use that new smile, whether it be in personal encounters or professional opportunities.

More on Gum Contouring : Is Gum Contouring Painful?