For many people, finding ways to improve their smile is the key to confidence. From receiving teeth whitening services to the extremes of veneers, there are a lot of cosmetic dental procedures that can vastly change your smile and boost your confidence levels–including gum contouring.
There are lots of people that suffer from “gummy smiles” where you can see too much gum tissue and a smaller teeth appearance–which can cause many to hate the way it looks. Gum contouring is a popular cosmetic dental procedure that you can undergo to get rid of excess gum tissue and change the way that you smile everyday.
Learn more about the gum contouring procedure–before, during, and after–and if it can hurt to see if it’s right for you!
What is Gum Contouring?
A popular procedure to reduce gum tissue can have heavy effects on self-esteem with a brand new smile!
Gum contouring can boost an individual’s confidence with the removal of excess gum tissue for a brighter, fuller smile. Image courtesy of My Dentist Burbank.
Before going into any kind of cosmetic procedure–dental or not–it’s important to get familiar with what it all entails to make sure you’re properly prepared for it and to make sure it’s the best choice for you. Gum contouring is a fairly popular dental procedure that can have great benefits besides giving the patient a confidence boost, so it’s important to know exactly what it does.
The Procedure of Gum Contouring
There’s no doubt that any kind of medical procedure can be intimidating, so the first step to take is making a consultation appointment to get familiar with what it is with your dentist or periodontist. Gum contouring is a procedure that removes the excess gum tissue that sits above your teeth to give you a much bigger and fuller smile. Many people that undergo this procedure have short and boxy teeth when they smile, and this procedure goes in to remove the excess gum tissue and reshape it for a more balanced, even, and uniform look to your smile.
There are three main reasons why many people get the gum contouring procedure done, which includes:
- To get rid of their gummy smile
- Even out their gum line
- Fix gum overgrowth from wearing braces
How Much Does Gum Contouring Cost?
It is important to also know that gum contouring is considered a cosmetic procedure, so insurance companies don’t cover it unless there is a medical reason for it. Many people pay out-of-pocket for this procedure where it can cost anywhere from $50 to $300, but doing your entire mouth can range from $500 to $3,000, which is a lot.
Luckily, many dentists and periodontists that do this type of procedure can provide flexible payment plans that will help to break down the cost of gum contouring into affordable payments. You’ll not only be able to easily afford the procedure without the help of insurance, but also be able to show off a smile you’ll feel proud about.
Gum Contouring: The Procedure and Potential Pain
The gum contouring procedure has little aftercare with minimal pain–great for new patients to know!
There are many initial fears that worry people about any type of procedure that they may undergo, even with gum contouring. It’s important to know the process before, during, and afterwards, along with what to expect during the healing process and what to do to better prepare yourself.
Before the Procedure
The first thing to do if you’re interested in the gum contouring procedure is to schedule a consultation with your dentist or periodontist. Not only are they able to help alleviate some of the typical fears you may have about the procedure, but they can give you a rundown on how it will go, determine your preferences on how you want your new gum line to look, and even what to expect afterwards during the healing process. Your dentist or periodontist will also check for any cavities that need to be fixed beforehand or any other underlying dental issues, such as gum disease that need to be addressed before the procedure takes place.
The Process During the Gum Contouring Procedure
It’s important to get familiar with what happens during the gum contouring procedure–since you will only be given a local anesthetic and will be awake for the whole process. To make sure that you’re comfortable and will experience no pain during the procedure, you’ll be given a local anesthetic while the dentist or periodontist will use either a scalpel or a laser to carefully remove gum tissue and reshape it for a more uniform and balanced look. Sometimes bone removal may be needed at the root of each tooth, but this is only if it is deemed necessary by your dentist. In some cases, stitches may also be needed to close the wound and help your gum tissue heal properly.
The Aftermath
When the gum contouring procedure is completed, you may not start to feel the full effects of it until the local anesthetic wears off. It is normal to experience swelling and minor discomfort in the areas where the procedure was performed or even your entire mouth–but this is a normal part of the healing process. There may also be some minor bleeding if your dentist used the scalpel method and it’s normal to experience this too.
Your dentist or periodontist will also recommend a soft diet and to be gentle when doing your normal, everyday oral hygiene routine. Some of the soft diet foods that you’ll be able to ingest include yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, ice cream, milkshakes, and even smoothies. It’s crucial to avoid anything crunchy or spicy that could potentially irritate and infect the area causing more pain. Make sure to also brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush and be extra careful when flossing to avoid any potential pain.
The Verdict: Is Gum Contouring a Painful Procedure?
Pain is something that many people fear, especially with medical or dental procedures, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into!
Gum contouring can be a different experience for every person. For some, it can be painful, but to others they can carry on their normal everyday lives like usual. For those who are interested in the procedure, it’s crucial to know that the pain is minimal–and most dentists and periodontists will agree.
How to Help Manage the Pain After Gum Contouring
Once the local anesthetic wears off after the gum contouring procedure, you may start to feel some tingling, mild pain, and swelling–which is all normal–and there are many ways to treat it. If you are finding the pain to be a little too much or even unbearable, over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol or Advil can be used to help manage it. These are the most recommended over-the-counter medications as they will help to clear up any painful spots you may have to continue on with your day. It is noted that Aspirin should be avoided since it can potentially increase the risk of bleeding afterwards.
It is also crucial to know that most people who undergo the scalpel method of gum contouring typically feel more pain than with a laser. The laser method will cause less discomfort and faster healing compared to the scalpel where stitches could potentially be needed afterwards and then removed once they have fully healed.
Signs to Look Out For
In rare instances, gum contouring can cause more drastic side effects that could be potentially dangerous. Some of the most common signs to look out for after the gum contouring procedure include:
- Severe pain that doesn’t subside even with medication
- A high fever
- Pus drainage
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Swelling
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Tenderness along the jaw
- Swollen glands
- Swelling in surrounding gum tissue
- Bad breath
- Discharge
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to contact and get a hold of your dentist or periodontist to investigate the issue and provide the proper treatment.
Gum contouring is a procedure that many people undergo to feel more beautiful and confident in their smile. While it doesn’t necessarily hurt during the procedure, there can be mild side effects afterwards that are usually bearable and don’t raise of concern for anyone. With a minimal amount of pain associated with the procedure, consider getting gum contouring done to show off a confident smile!
If you’re in the Washington, PA area looking for gum contouring procedures and costs, plus routine cleanings and other dental work, consider contacting Elizabeth L. Wakim— exceptional smiles start here!
Dr. Elizabeth Wakim, DDS, is the founder of Enhanced Wellness. She’s a compassionate and highly-regarded dentist with her own practice in Washington, Pennsylvania, known for providing modern, comprehensive dental care, botox and facial aesthetics with a focus on patient comfort and anxiety reduction, serving general, cosmetic, and pediatric dentistry needs.
