Gum contouring reshapes the gum line so the teeth show in better proportion. At Dentistry For You in Broken Arrow it is usually done with a soft tissue laser, takes one appointment, and heals within days.
When the Gums Are the Problem
People who dislike their smile often assume the teeth are at fault. Sometimes the teeth are a perfectly normal size and shape and the gum is simply sitting too low over them, which makes them look short and square.
A few patterns come up repeatedly. A gummy smile, where a broad band of gum shows above the upper teeth. An uneven line, where one tooth looks noticeably shorter than the one beside it. Overgrown tissue, which some medications cause. And a gum line that never receded properly after the adult teeth came in, which is common in the late teens and twenties.
Reshaping the gum in these cases changes the proportions without touching the teeth at all.
Why a Laser
A soft tissue laser removes gum tissue and seals the edge as it goes. That means very little bleeding, no stitches in most cases, and a shorter, more comfortable recovery than the scalpel technique it replaced.
It is also precise. Reshaping a gum line is a matter of a millimetre here and there, and being able to work in small controlled increments is what makes the result look natural rather than obviously done.
Bothered by an Uneven Gum Line?
Call the front desk and we will find you a time that works.
What the Appointment Is Like
We start by measuring. The gum has to keep enough attached tissue around each tooth to stay healthy, so there is a limit to how much can be removed, and it varies tooth by tooth. Sometimes the bone underneath sits too high as well, and that needs a different procedure called crown lengthening rather than gum reshaping alone. We will tell you which one you are looking at.
The area is numbed. The new gum line is marked, then the laser follows it. Most cases take under an hour depending on how many teeth are involved. You will see the difference immediately, though the tissue keeps settling for a few weeks.
Afterwards
Expect tenderness for a few days rather than real pain, and stick to softer foods and lukewarm drinks for a short while. Keep brushing, gently, including the treated area, because keeping it clean is what keeps it healing well. We will give you specific instructions and check the result at a follow-up.
Combining It With Other Treatment
Gum contouring is often the first step rather than the whole job. If you are having veneers, the gum line decides where the edge of each veneer sits, so the contouring is done first and the gums are allowed to settle before impressions are taken. Doing it the other way round means the veneers are made to a gum line that is about to change.
It also pairs with whitening, which costs far less and is worth doing first so you can see how much of the problem was colour rather than shape.
When It Is Not Cosmetic
Not every gum reshaping case is about appearance. Overgrown tissue traps plaque and makes cleaning harder, so removing it is a health measure. And when a tooth has broken off near the gum, crown lengthening exposes enough structure for a crown to grip, which is what saves the tooth from extraction.
Call (918) 355-1391 or use the contact form.
Questions About Gum Contouring
Does gum contouring hurt?
The area is numbed, so the procedure itself is not painful. A soft tissue laser seals as it works, so there is little bleeding and most patients describe the following days as tender rather than sore. Over-the-counter pain relief is usually enough.
How long does it take to heal?
Most of the healing happens within a few days to a week, and you can usually go back to normal the next day with a softer diet for a short while. Full settling of the gum line takes a few weeks, which is why we do contouring before veneers rather than after.
Will the gum grow back?
Tissue removed with a laser does not normally grow back to where it was. That is what makes the result stable, and also why the planning matters: we measure first and take a conservative amount rather than guessing.
Is it covered by insurance?
When it is done purely for appearance, usually not. When it is done for a clinical reason, such as removing overgrown tissue or as part of crown lengthening so a crown has enough tooth to hold on to, it often is. The front desk will check your plan.
Book a Gum Contouring Consultation
We will look at whether the gums, the teeth or both are what needs changing.