Your teeth are just a part of your smile. Your gums are an important part of a healthy smile, too. Receding gums are often due to periodontal gum disease or tooth loss. Gummy smiles or gum asymmetry, often from misaligned teeth, can take away from your smile and affect your overall health. At Sowell Sensational Smiles, Plano, TX dentist Dr. Mark Sowell uses his artistic eye and surgical expertise to address the shape and symmetry of your gums.
Gum Recession Treatment in Plano, TX
Dr. Sowell will utilize the WaterLase MD laser to help patients suffering from gum recession. Receding gums become a concern when they start to expose the tooth root. This will leave the tooth at risk for decay or infection. Poor oral hygiene and gum disease are the number one causes of receding gums. When plaque begins to build up on the teeth, it will cause gingivitis which can lead to periodontitis.
Without treatment, this disease will only get worse and eventually lead to tooth loss. Utilizing the WaterLase MD laser, Dr. Sowell is able to treat periodontal disease without any incisions. The laser will remove all bacteria as well as the infected tissue with extreme accuracy.
Gummy Smiles/Gum Asymmetry Treatment
A gummy smile is something people are born with, but that doesn’t mean they have to live with it. Some people are bothered by the appearance of their smile if it shows too much of their gum tissue.
The reality is they may have a short upper lip, small teeth, or simply too much gum tissue. Dr. Sowell is able to utilize the WaterLase MD laser to correct this. This revolutionary laser dentistry technology is capable of removing excess gum tissue. This treatment is much faster, less painful, and offers a faster healing time compared to older methods of gum contouring.
Dr. Sowell also utilizes it for people with asymmetrical gum tissues. We can easily achieve symmetry with a WaterLase laser treatment.
With the use of the latest in laser dentistry technology, Dr. Sowell can treat any gum issues you may have. In the past, gum reshaping was accomplished by using a scalpel and physically cutting away the tissue. We use the WaterLase MD laser, with which Dr. Sowell has over eight years of experience in all reshaping procedures.
Laser dentistry is fast, safe, and convenient, routinely allowing patients to go back to work the next day without pain or medications. Whether you have a receding or advancing gum line or an unattractive gummy smile, you can trust Dr. Sowell to provide gum treatment that will maximize the beauty of your smile.
Gum Reshaping Before & After
This young lady came to Dr. Sowell’s Plano, Texas dentist office with a beautiful natural smile that showed more gums than she would have liked. Dr. Sowell designed a gum lift that would decrease her gum display and increase the size of her teeth for ideal proportions to her face without touching her teeth. The result was a beautiful natural smile with a conservative approach.
Gummy Reshaping FAQs
How does gum contouring work?
Gum contouring is when a laser that attacks soft tissue is used to remove extra tissue around the gum. With extra gums, teeth look smaller, and some people find it unappealing and want their gums to be reshaped. Gum contouring is the perfect way to reshape your gum line.
Is gum reshaping painful?
You may feel some slight discomfort when undergoing gum treatment. This is normal with any procedure that removes tissue. The dentist numbs the procedure area before treatment begins so that it is more comfortable for patients. Most people report higher pain levels after the procedure, but after a few days, the pain should go away. Your dentist will recommend medications to manage the discomfort.
What will my recovery from gum reshaping be like?
Recovery varies from patient to patient, depending on the severity, intensity, and irritation. When the procedure is performed with a laser, recovery is much easier and faster. Using a cold compress and holding it on your face for 15-minute intervals can also speed up recovery times and lessen swelling. Patients should avoid eating sharp, crunchy, and hard food until a few days after the procedure to ensure that they don’t irritate their gums.