Most patients think that cosmetic dentists focus on only the teeth of the patients. This perception is mostly because they believe that if there is an issue with a person's smile, it must be from this individual's teeth. But when it comes tdo cosmetic dentistry, there are multiple things we need to consider. One of the main things we need to focus on is the periodontal tissues, primarily gum tissues. Any periodontal disease, uneven gum line, or proportional discrepancies of the gum line is a significant issue we as cosmetic dentists tackle to achieve the perfect smile.
By taking proper technical diagnostic pictures and videos and having the adequate skillset, any Cosmetic Dentist in Toronto can objectively assess every aspect of a patient's face and smile. This way, we can diagnose the issues, offer solutions, and understandably present them to every patient.
For a cosmetic dentist to deliver a perfect result every time, they need to know the golden ratio of the smile aesthetics. The golden ratio in smile aesthetics is an indispensable proportional guide for us. By following the guidance of the golden proportion, it becomes easy for us to detect any cosmetic issue objectively.
If there is a proportional problem caused by uneven gumline with excessive gum tissue, crown lengthening or gum contouring procedure becomes a helpful tool. With the crown lengthening procedure, we can achieve perfect results. While in some cases, we can create drastic outcomes with crown lengthening alone, in others, we use esthetic crown lengthening as a supportive procedure for the whole treatment plan.
If the issue is gum recessions, periodontal surgeries such as connective tissue grafting can be the solution for receding gums. However, in this blog post, we're going to focus on Crown Lengthening Procedure.
First of all, we need to understand; What is crown lengthening?
Crown lengthening, also known as laser gum contouring, is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that removes excess gum tissue and/or shapes the gumline with laser technology. It is performed to address gum-related conditions and improve patients' smiles.
However, in many cases, we need to reshape the bone margins under the gum line because the gum tissue tends to cover the bone margin and go beyond the bone margin by three millimetres. That's why if the distance between the bone margin and the gingival line is less than three millimetres, the gum tissue will try to cover the bone, and the laser contouring procedure will fail.
If there is insufficient space between the gum line and the bone tissue, your Cosmetic Dentist needs to align the bone tissue to your gingival alignment. Otherwise, your crown lengthening procedure will not be stable, and after the gum contouring recovery time, gums will grow back, and the procedure's outcome will be reversed. That's why every treatment must be planned thoroughly before any treatment attempt. Dental surgeons should not leave the decision-making process to the chairside.
How long does it take for gum contouring to heal?
The time it takes for gum contouring to heal varies depending on the extent of the work done. For example, if an excessive amount of gum tissue is grafted or removed, healing will likely take multiple weeks or months.
Is there an infection risk after the crown lengthening procedure?
Dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry, has become more effective and tolerable for patients in recent years. Gum contouring is a surgical procedure that will likely cause mild discomfort immediately afterwards. You will be given instructions on how to take care of yourself later to minimize the risk of infection, the most common complication associated with this type of surgery.
Do I have to get Dental Crowns or Porcelain Veneers after a Gum Reshaping Procedure?
Not necessarily! If you have well-aligned and cosmetically pleasing teeth, you don't have to continue with a restorative dentistry procedure such as Porcelain Crowns and Dental Veneers. However, if there is a shape discrepancy on the teeth, you may want to improve the outcome with aesthetic dentistry applications. So the answer to the question depends on the individual we are treating.
In conclusion, your smile design treatment may require Crown Lengthening, and this is not a reversible treatment. That's why cosmetic dentists we need to be precise about the amount of gum tissue we need to adjust to achieve perfect results.
Only work with reputable dentists for crown lengthening to reduce the chances of complications. Fully understand what you're committing to before moving forward, and don't hesitate to ask questions. Please ask for mock-up sessions for your Dentist to show their treatment's outcome before you commit to the gum contouring procedure. Part of preventing associated risks is on you - give truthful information to your doctor and follow their advice to increase the chances of a successful gum contouring treatment.
