Gum contouring supports a balanced, healthy smile
A healthy and attractive smile requires a harmonious relationship between your teeth, gums, and lips. If you want to build confidence through a more beautiful smile, you might look into a cosmetic procedure like gum contouring. In Sunnyvale, California, Dr. Ryan Zhuoran Zhao of Harmony Smile Dental can alter the gum line with gum contouring. This process:
- May be recommended for cosmetic purposes
- Can correct a “gummy” smile
- Removes excess gum tissue to reveal more of the teeth
- Can involve reshaping the gum line for a more aesthetic smile
- May also be used to restore oral health
Gum Contouring Q&A
What is gum contouring?
Gum contouring can be used for both cosmetic and restorative purposes. This process can bring balance to a smile whose gum line may overwhelm the teeth. Or it can be recommended as part of the treatment to rebuild damaged teeth or diseased gums. This procedure generally involves reshaping the gum tissue using a dental laser . Gum overgrowth or excess tissue may also be removed.
What can I expect from the procedure?
The process involves precisely numbing the area to be altered. So, you won’t feel discomfort. If you have a “gummy” smile — which means your teeth look small from excessive gum tissue — Dr. Zhao will remove excess gum tissue using a laser or a scalpel, revealing more of the teeth for cosmetic reasons or in preparation for the placement of a dental crown. Then, he will sculpt a new gumline to create symmetry to adjacent teeth.
What are the benefits of gum contouring?
Many! Gum reshaping promotes more attractive proportions between the gumline and the teeth. It also supports successful restorative treatment when Dr. Zhao applies his skill for “crown lengthening.” By revealing more of the tooth, the crown has a greater surface area to attach to. Additionally, having too much gum tissue is a health concern for certain patients. Excess tissue can trap food particles, which are difficult to remove via brushing and flossing, and may accelerate gum disease. As a periodontal therapy, removing excessive gums supports healing and a healthy mouth.
At Harmony Smile Dental, we emphasize conservative techniques and treatments. In turn, we preserve maximum healthy natural tissues. These tissue-preserving techniques are generally associated with minimal pain, downtime, and other undesirable side effects following the procedure. Dr. Zhao and our team will provide clear instructions on caring for your mouth and what to eat following treatment. And, of course, we welcome your questions! Call us at (408) 738-1000. Or request an appointment online.
