Is Gum Contouring Right for You?
Sometimes, gum contouring is one of many procedures used to help the oral tissues heal from periodontal disease. If your dentist recommends any treatments for your periodontitis, including but not limited to gum contouring, it’s definitely a good idea to follow their recommendation. In the majority of cases, however, gum contouring serves a more cosmetic purpose. If you’re bothered by the appearance of your smile, gum contouring is one way to redesign and improve the aesthetics of the gumline and restore the appearance of the smile. Gum contouring is just what it sounds like: reshaping and sculpting the gumline. This treatment is most commonly used when there is an excess of gum tissue; when there is inadequate or receding gum tissue; or when the gumline is uneven or asymmetrical. These conditions don’t generally affect oral health, so the question of whether or not cosmetic gum contouring is right for you is largely subjective. In short, however, if you’re bothered by the appearance of your gumline, gum contouring can be an effective, simple solution.
There are some things to consider beyond mere aesthetics when researching whether gum contouring is right for you. These include:
- Oral health
- Cost
- Specific cosmetic outcomes
- Convenience
One approach to treating periodontitis includes surgical methods like periodontal pocket surgery, which minimizes the depth of the gingival pockets that characterize periodontitis, or gum grafts, which replenish gum tissue that’s been damaged or destroyed by periodontitis. Gum contouring is often included in these procedures, as the gum tissue often needs to be reshaped after it is surgically modified for health reasons. When periodontitis isn’t present, and gum contouring is considered for cosmetic reasons, oral health is a primary consideration. There’s little reason to address the appearance of the gums when broader oral health concerns are present, and patients with existing oral health issues are encouraged to treat such underlying issues that could cause further damage to the gums before investing in their appearance.
The cost of gum contouring is often manageable, with a range of around $50 to $500 for each tooth; this range is broad because it depends in large part on the extent of gingival modification and reshaping that is necessary. It’s important to understand, however, that the cost of gum contouring performed for cosmetic reasons is unlikely to be covered by insurance, which may affect your decision about whether gum contouring is right for you. Your specific aesthetic preferences and cosmetic needs can also influence this decision. Gum contouring won’t have any effect on the teeth themselves and is used primarily to help the teeth appear larger or smaller or to even out an asymmetrical or flawed gumline. Your dentist can help you determine whether gum contouring will meet your specific needs and review possible outcomes as you research and plan your gumline redesign.
While the gum contouring procedure is brief, generally taking only an hour or two, it’s reasonable to need some time to recover from treatment, and time and convenience should also be factored into deciding whether gum contouring is a good option for you. Generally, complete healing from gum contouring will take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the extent of the repair, which is considered a worthwhile investment for many patients who’ve noticeably improved the appearance of their smiles. If you’re considering gum contouring to address your own aesthetic needs and desires, talk to your dentist to learn whether the procedure might be the best solution for you.
Related Article: What is Gum Contouring?