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The gum line helps give your smile the perfect definition. However, a gum line that comes up too far on the teeth can give you a gummy smile and if the gum line is uneven, your teeth may appear irregular. This may result in a not-so-appealing smile.

In this article, our team of experts at Dental Specialists of North Florida in Saint Augustine and Palm Coast, Florida, shares an overview of gum line contouring and its benefits.

What Is Gum Line Contouring?

Gum contouring is a dental procedure that helps sculpt and reshape your gum line. It generally includes the removal of excess gum tissue from your teeth to enhance your smile.

This method is also used to treat issues like gum recession and the dentist may also recommend it to restore the gum tissues.

Do You Need Gum Line Contouring?

If your gums are too low or high on the teeth, you may need gum contouring. 

Although gum contouring is usually performed for cosmetic purposes, there are times when you may require this treatment for oral health issues.

Process

Gum contouring only takes a single visit to the dentist and it is usually performed by a periodontist or a cosmetic dentist. The time it takes can vary between 1 to 2 hours depending on the extent of contouring required.

During the procedure, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb your gums. For gums that are far too up, the dentist will use a soft tissue laser or scalpel to remove excess gum tissue and resculpt the gum line. This will expose your teeth in the right areas.

For treating gum recession, gum tissues are taken from other parts of your mouth and placed in the required area. You may also require surgery to hold these gum tissues in place, thereby restructuring your gum line.

Benefits

Some of the main benefits of gum line contouring are:

• Helps get rid of excessive gum tissues that trap food and can cause inflammation 
• Gives you a shapelier smile
• It is a quick and minimally invasive dental procedure 

For queries related to gum contouring, call Dental Specialists of North Florida at (904) 794-1000 or (386) 986-1000. You can also visit us at 10 Saint Johns Medical Park Drive, Suite C, Saint Augustine, FL 32086 and 3 Cypress Branch Way # 107, Palm Coast, FL 32164.