Gum Contouring in Houston, TX

For some patients, the look of short teeth or a "gummy smile" may leave them embarrassed or self-conscious over the appearance of their smile. Gum contouring, also know as crown lengthening, is a periodontal procedure our full-service practice provides to not only lift the gum tissues and create a more attractive, confident smile but also to improve overall oral health. Our skilled periodontist uses cosmetic sculpting and reshaping procedures to eliminate excess gum tissue from the gumline and expose a larger amount of tooth enamel. This creates the look a wider, more proportionate smile while reducing the spaces available for disease-causing bacteria to hide below the gums. Let our caring team at Made Ya Smile Dental in Houston, TX help you achieve a confident, beautiful smile with a gum contouring procedure. To learn more about this periodontal technique, contact us today and reserve your treatment consultation.

Gum contouring performed by our Houston, TX dentists has aesthetic and oral health benefits. Some of the common benefits of gum contouring include:

• Removes excess or overgrown gum tissues
• Enhances a "gummy" smile
• Reduces the risk of developing gum disease
• Quick and effective cosmetic treatment

Gum lifts, or contouring, can serve both aesthetic and functional needs. When the gum tissues cover too much tooth surfaces, it can make the teeth appear to be short in relation to the amount of gum tissue that shows when you smile. This creates the look of a "gummy" smile, which can be eliminated by gently removing this excess gum tissue and sculpting the gumline to frame the teeth in a balanced fashion. In other cases, gum and bone tissue may be covering an area of decay or damage on a tooth, making it difficult for our team to treat and fully restore the tooth structure. Gum and bone (crown lengthening) contouring procedures can be performed to remove just enough bone and gum tissue to expose the tooth structure and allow our dentists to properly place a crown, filling, or bridge for restoration procedures.

Gum contouring may be ideal for you if excess gum tissue has created a gummy smile or is interfering with the restoration of a damaged tooth. This may be caused by:

• Overgrown (hyperplastic) gums
• Infected or inflamed gums (gum disease)
• An uneven gumline
• Certain medications
• Genetic factors
• Deep decay or damage on a tooth

Our skilled periodontist has advanced training and technique in performing both aesthetic and functional gum contouring procedures to improve smile appearance and oral health. To begin, our team will numb your gums and make sure you remain comfortable throughout your procedure. Sedation dentistry solutions are also available if you feel anxious when visiting the dentist for care. We will then gently remove excess gum tissue and sculpt the gumline around teeth that appear in the smile zone. If gum contouring is being performed for functional reasons, our periodontist will reduce the gum tissue (and possibly bone) in the area where a restoration is to be placed. The result of this procedure improves the ratio of gum and tooth structure to reveal a balanced and beautiful new smile. Most patients can receive a smile lift procedure within the convenience of a single appointment at Made Ya Smile Dental.

Once your gummy smile treatment is complete, you may notice minor discomfort in the gums. Our team will provide instructions for care and on how to minimize any post-op discomfort. In many cases, nonprescription pain relievers are all that is needed to control gum tenderness. During the healing process, we recommend that you follow our periodontist's instructions on brushing and flossing to generate the best possible results for your smile and keep plaque and bacteria from damaging your new gumline. Keeping up with your routine dental exam and cleaning visits at Made Ya Smile Dental can also help ensure your cosmetic sculpting and reshaping results are long-lasting and serve your oral health needs well into the future.

Depending on the reason for your gum contouring treatment, your procedure may be covered in part by dental insurance. A member of our team will contact your insurance provider before your visit to learn about your specific plan and coverage amounts. At Made Ya Smile Dental, we strive to make dental care affordable and accessible to all patients and offer a range of payment options to make covering the cost of your care convenient. Easy, low-interest payment plans through our financing partner, CareCredit®, may also be an option that meets your needs.

Are there risks associated with gum contouring?
Like with every surgery, there are some risks involved in gum contouring. The main risk is a relapse of gum tissue. However, if you still have a "gummy" smile after your surgery and are not fully satisfied with your results, connect with a member of our team. We will work with you to achieve the results and smile that you desire!

Does cosmetic teeth shaping hurt?
Many patients experience some discomfort or pain during their gum contouring procedure. However, our dentists utilize a numbing agent, so you should only feel very minimal discomfort, if anything at all. If you feel extreme discomfort during your procedure, let our team know immediately so we can make adjustments with the numbing agent.

How long do the results for gum reshaping last?
How long your results last will depend on the primary reason for the overgrowth. Our team creates customized treatment plans to help our patients achieve their smile goals. If you are interested in gum contouring, contact our Houston, TX office to schedule a consultation today!

Trade the look of a gummy smile for a balanced, attractive grin with specialized gum contouring care from our periodontist. Gum contouring can lift and reshape the gumline for improved cosmetic appeal and allow for placement of restorations to meet functional needs by gently removing excess or overgrown tissue. To achieve a beautiful, healthier, and even grin, schedule your consultation for gum contouring at Made Ya Smile Dental in Houston, TX today.