The perfect smile strikes a balance between teeth and gums. Your gumline should deliver the ideal teeth-gum ratio and frame your teeth aesthetically. If you have a gummy smile or uneven gum line, you can rely on laser gum contouring to improve your smile.
What is gum contouring?
Also known as crown lengthening, laser gum contouring is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that reshapes your gumline. It is performed by cosmetic dentists to address gum-related conditions and improve patients’ smiles. If you have a gummy smile, your dentist will be removing excess gum tissue around your teeth. In addition, they’ll use laser technology to sculpt uneven gumlines or overgrown gums.
If you have gum recession, your dentist can restore gum tissue to strike the perfect teeth-to-gum ratio. First, they’ll remove tissue from the palate or other areas in your mouth. Then, the tissue is secured around the teeth to reverse the effects of gum recession. This procedure can restructure the gum line and restore your charming smile.
What does lasering your gums do?
The gum line defines the length of visible teeth and your smile. However, factors beyond your control like hereditary traits and gum recession can push your gum line too high or low. In addition, excess gum tissue can shorten teeth crowns, creating a gummy smile. In this case, lasering your gums can correct your gum line and make your teeth look longer. Your cosmetic dentist will use laser technology to remove excess gum. They can also combine esthetic crown lengthening with dental crowns or porcelain veneers for a transformational smile makeover.
Lasering your gums can also help address gum recession. This condition pulls back the gumline from the teeth and increases the risk of tooth loss and decay. So, your periodontist can recommend lasering your gums as part of medically necessary periodontal procedures. In addition, laser gum reshaping can eliminate the underlying cause of gum disease and improve oral health.
How long does it take to do gum contouring?
Unlike traditional gum surgery, laser gum contouring uses a laser instead of scalpels. Laser technology allows your cosmetic dentist to remove excess gum quickly with high precision. In most cases, laser gum contouring takes around 1 hour. Note that the number of teeth also determines the duration. So whether it’s gum reshaping or removal, your Toronto dentist will take only a few hours to complete the procedure.
Is laser gum contouring permanent?
Yes, it is a permanent dental procedure. Laser gum contouring reveals more of your teeth by removing excess gum tissue. It lengthens your teeth and reshapes the gum line to enhance aesthetics. So, do gums grow back after gum contouring? Excess gum tissue removed during the crown lengthening procedure will not grow back. Gum reshaping can also repair the damage due to gum recession. This treatment attaches gum tissue around the teeth to improve the gum line. To prevent gum recession, attend regular dental checkups and maintain good oral hygiene.
Does laser gum contouring hurt?
Most patients don’t experience any pain during laser gum contouring. Before reshaping your gums, your dentist will check your gums and bone structure. Then, they’ll administer a local anesthetic to numb the site and guarantees pain-free gum surgery. You’ll be conscious and comfortable throughout the procedure. However, some people experience tenderness, swelling, and mild pain in the first 24 hours after laser gum surgery. Use an ice pack to manage post-operative swelling and take pain medication.
How long does crown lengthening take to heal?
Unlike traditional gum contouring, laser gum reshaping doesn’t involve cutting or stitches. Using laser technology enhances precision and delivers quick recovery times. On average, laser crown lengthening takes around 1-3 weeks to heal properly. But the recovery time after gum surgery varies from person to person. To hasten your healing:
Avoid hard foods, hot beverages and foods, and strenuous jaw activities in the first 24 hours.
Follow your dentist’s post-operative instructions.
Don’t switch from prescribed pain medication to aspirin.
It can increase bleeding and undermine quick recovery.
How much does crown lengthening surgery cost?
The cost of laser gum contouring varies depending on the extent of work to be done. On average, crown lengthening costs between $100-$350 per tooth and $1,000-$4,000 for the entire procedure. Therefore, Lasering all your front top teeth can cost you around $3,000. If your gum contouring procedure is medically necessary, your dental insurance plan can cover part of the costs. However, dental insurance doesn’t offer coverage for esthetic crown lengthening.
Why Choose Toronto Smile Design for Laser Gum Treatments?
When it comes to laser gum treatment, you want to make sure that a qualified dentist handles it for you. Dr. Johnson Ozgur is a Toronto Cosmetic Dentist with a Master's Degree in Oral Surgery. He has the technical knowledge and practical experience of tackling periodontal diseases, teeth whitening, gum contouring, among others, using laser treatment. Please get in touch with our office today for a professional consultation arrangement.
