Healing After Gum Contouring
The healing and recovery time after a gum contouring procedure is contingent on the extent of the procedure and your own self-control by following the suggested instructions from your dentist when heading home. Let us identify first why you might consider the procedure, the simple gum contouring procedure itself, and any precautions to observe during the healing process.
What is a Gummy Smile?
When you smile naturally, you should see about two to three millimeters of soft gum tissue. If that amount is more, and closer to four millimeters or above, the proportion of gums to teeth becomes visually out of balance. It can leave you with a negative perception that your teeth appear short and stubby. Your smile is an invaluable asset to you, influencing your personality and your mental state. A smile is the foundation for your self-confidence and self-esteem. If you do not like your smile, you might begin to change your daily interactions in your personal and professional circles. Sometimes this gum-to-teeth imbalance is genetic, while other times it could be the result of decay or even prescriptions.
The Gum Contouring Procedure
A simple cosmetic process, the gingival recontouring addresses soft tissue that can be easily removed, immediately correcting the proportions of teeth to tissue ratio. The tissue to be involved will be numbed first with a local anesthetic. Then the dentist or periodontist will easily use a surgical scalpel or a dental laser to remove the unwanted tissue. The laser will cauterize the tissue as it is cut, which minimizes bleeding. The scalpel will result in some minor bleeding.
The Healing Process after Gum Contouring
Your healing process will be determined by the amount of tissue removed and the extent of the procedure. If a laser is used, the tissue is immediately cauterized during the procedure, minimizing blood loss. If a scalpel is used, you might be dealing with some minor scabbing. Either way, you may expect some minor swelling and discomfort initially.
The most practical suggestion is to use a saline rinse for a day or two, to avoid both smoking and alcohol, and to consider a soft foods diet. The gum tissue heals quickly, within ten days, leaving you with a beautifully refined smile. You will also be given instructions on how to brush both your teeth and gums through your healing process. Once the soft tissue has healed, the health industry strongly encourages brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time. The dental industry would also like to see you floss at least once a day to clean those hard-to-reach areas between your teeth. If you develop and maintain these strong at-home oral hygiene habits and schedule regular preventative examinations with your dentist twice a year, you can make sure that you can keep that new smile as the invaluable asset it is. Professional cleaning after each exam is also extremely beneficial to ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy. Enjoy your new smile, whether it be in your personal encounters or professional opportunities.