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Gum contouring, or gum reshaping, is a cosmetic dental procedure that involves sculpting the gum line to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing and balanced appearance. This procedure enhances the shape of your teeth, resulting in a more beautiful smile and increased confidence when you grin.
Gum contouring is typically recommended for individuals with the following gum conditions: gummy smile (excessive gum display when smiling), uneven gum line, enlarged gums, or asymmetrical gum tissue.
Causes of excessive gum exposure when smiling
- Tooth alignment issues, such as excessively protruding teeth
- Gum swelling may occur after orthodontic treatment
- Some people have thick gums due to genetic factors
- Some individuals develop abnormal bony protrusions on their gums, which can be related to orthodontic treatment or chewing very hard foods
- Abnormalities of the lip muscles
- Jaw abnormalities
How can corrections be made?
- Gum contouring
- Gum contouring combined with bone reshaping
- Jaw surgery (only in cases of severe abnormalities)
Who can do it?
- Suitable for all genders and ages
- Must not have any pre-existing medical conditions that contraindicate the procedure, or be taking medications that affect the body’s immune system (you can consult with a dentist beforehand)
Steps to do
Gum contouring is performed under local anesthesia. The dentist will first apply a topical anesthetic, then inject a local anesthetic in the area of the front teeth to be reshaped.
The procedure typically takes 30-45 minutes, depending on the complexity of each individual case.
After surgery, most patients experience mild discomfort for about 1 day. The dentist will prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to prevent pain and infection in the treated area.
Swelling may occur during the first 1-3 days, gradually subsiding on days 4-5. Swelling is more common in cases requiring extensive bone reshaping (such as large bony protrusions). Patients can typically speak and eat normally.
In most cases, stitches are not necessary. However, in some instances where bone reshaping is involved, stitching may be required. The dentist will use white dissolving sutures with internal knots, making them invisible. Patients can smile immediately after the procedure.
Sutures are typically removed after 7-14 days. Although dissolving sutures completely dissolve in about 100 days, removing them earlier provides greater comfort for the patient.
Post-operative care for gum surgery
- After gum contouring, use a cotton swab dipped in the mouthwash provided by the dentist (C-20 solution) to clean the wound area for 3 days. During these first 3 days, do not brush the teeth in the area where gum contouring was performed. Continue brushing other areas as normal.
- You can start brushing your teeth on day 3, using an upward sweeping motion from the gums to the teeth (for lower teeth) and a downward motion (for upper teeth). Remember to use an extra-soft toothbrush.
- You can start using dental floss 1 week after the surgery.
- Do not use any mouthwash other than what the dentist provides, as it may severely irritate the wound.