Is Gum Contouring Painful?

For some people, their teeth are not the one thing they have always wanted to change about their smile, it is their gums. Some gums sit too high or too low on the teeth, or sometimes the gums don’t sit evenly across all of the teeth resulting in the appearance of a crooked smile. Fortunately, there is a cosmetic dental procedure that can fix any of these issues. Gum contouring, often called gum reshaping, is a dental procedure used to correct the gum line, reshape the teeth, and improve the overall aesthetic appearance of the smile.

Why Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring is a procedure that dentists use either as a cosmetic treatment or for the treatment of periodontal disease.

Gum contouring for cosmetic fixes: For patients who have uneven gums, or “gummy” smiles with gums that cover more of their teeth than they would like, gum contouring is an available cosmetic treatment option. The goal of the treatment is to enhance the smile by reducing and reshaping the gum tissue. The procedure can also be used for patients who have gums that have receded.

Periodontal Gum Contouring: For patients who have gum disease that has advanced to the point of tooth loss or gums that have dramatically receded, gum contouring is an available treatment option. In this case, the treatment used for the receding gums help to protect exposed and vulnerable root of the teeth and to help minimize the pockets to prevent the buildup of bacteria. When gum contouring is used to treat periodontal disease it also helps to prevent future problems.

Is Gum Contouring Painful?

The gum reshaping procedure is commonly done with a scalpel or small laser after a local anesthetic has been administered. The anesthetic will help to minimize any discomfort during the procedure, however, after the procedure there may be some pain and discomfort. The use of the laser for gum contouring is becoming increasingly popular partially due to the fact that this approach will reduce the discomfort experienced after the procedure.

What to Do After the Procedure to Help with Pain

While you can expect some mild pain and discomfort after the gum contouring procedure, there are some things you can do to help reduce this discomfort:

• Over the counter medication: Over the counter medication is a good option to help deal with the mild pain and discomfort experienced after the procedure. Medications that contain aspirin should be avoided because they can thin the blood and cause bleeding.
• Watch Your Diet: Avoid eating any hard or crunchy foods for a few days after the procedure. These foods can irritate the gums and cause pain. Try to stick to eating softer foods for a few days until your gum tissue has healed.
• Limit Activity: You should limit your activity, particularly strenuous activity, for at least a few days. Too much activity, can cause blood to flow to the area too quickly, leading to pain, swelling and possibly even bleeding.

Healing and recovering from a gum contouring treatment can take few days up to a couple of weeks. Overtime your pain will lessen and you will be back on your feet with a new smile in no time.

More on Gum Contouring : Recovery After Gum Contouring