Having a beautiful smile is important for several reasons. Not only does it provide aesthetic value, but it also improves confidence, raises self-esteem, and is beneficial to mental health.
Uneven gums are one of the dental issues that affect one’s ability to smile confidently in public. Fortunately, there are procedures for gum reshaping or contouring thanks to the developments in dental technology.
If your gums are uneven, either too high or too low, and you are unhappy with the way you look when you smile, a gum reshaping procedure may be your solution. This procedure, also called gum reshaping can remove the uneven gum line and give you another opportunity to wear a confident smile.
Why Do You Have Uneven Gums?
If you have uneven gums, you are not alone in this situation, as millions of other people all over the world also have uneven gums.
There are several factors that can cause your gums to be too high or too low. Some of these factors include:
- Genetics
- Health conditions
- Effect of prescription drugs use
- Gum recession
Gums that cover a larger portion of your teeth so that they look small are likely caused by the first three factors, whereas gums that are high and cover less of your teeth making your teeth look bigger and longer are usually caused by gum recession.
Gum recession is when the gum tissue pulls back from the tooth, exposing the root of the tooth. This makes your teeth appear longer than they are, and could also lead to a number of dental health problems including tooth decay and tooth loss. Gum recession could also be a sign that you have periodontal disease, where the gums and bones which are the supporting structures of the teeth deteriorates.
When is Gum Reshaping a Good Idea?
People with uneven gums tend to find it difficult to fit into society. This is because they to avoid talking, smiling, or laughing as much as possible and are seen as snobs or pariahs in society. And even when they try to fit in my joining others in conversation, people tend to make fun of them, causing them to retreat further into their shells.
In this type of situation, a gun reshaping procedure could be a good idea.
There are several situations where your dentist may recommend gum reshaping such as where you have a gummy smile as a result of uneven gums and where your gums have receded, causing you to show more teeth than is necessary.
While gum reshaping is typically done as a cosmetic procedure to reshape gums so that patients can improve the appearance of their smile, it is the necessary medical procedure in cases of periodontal diseases where pocket reduction, crown lengthening and regenerative procedures are needed.
The success of this procedure, however, is highly dependent on the skill and experience of your dental surgeon, which is why you should take your time to search for the best before committing to the process. Your overall physical health, and how fast you heal will also play a vital role.
Your family dentist should be able to make some recommendations for you, but you should also be able to find a qualified dental surgeon when you search online. For example, a website like https://www.nsoms.co.nz carries the important information you need should you require gum reshaping.
What to Expect in Gum Reshaping
As we have already established, gum reshaping or gum contouring is a relatively painless procedure. However, for most people, the anticipation and fear will likely make the surgery uncomfortable. This is one of the reasons why you need a professional. A professional dental surgeon knows the best ways to calm your nerves and help you stay comfortable throughout the process.
Gum reshaping is usually carried out in a dentist operating room and typically involves the use of lasers, scalpels and other radio-surgery equipment. Your dental surgeon will likely walk you through the process and choose the best technique for your procedure. In most cases, advanced imaging like CAD/CAM will be used to show you beforehand what the finished work will look like.
Gum reshaping is usually a painless affair and dentists will only have to use a topical anaesthetic; however, you should be expected to experience a bit of soreness for a few hours or days after the procedure, but your gums will likely heal very quickly, so this should not be a problem.
Recovering From Gum Reshaping
If you have uneven gums and have decided to go for gum reshaping procedure, your dentist should be able to provide specific instructions about how you can quicken the recovery process. Even though this is not a major surgery, it may still take a few days or weeks for you to heal completely so you will have to be careful with what you eat and drink.
Here are a few expert tips to help you through recovery:
- Use over the counter pain reliever, such as Advil or Tylenol, or any other pain reliever prescribed by your dentist to ease the pain. Avoid aspirin, as this particular drug can cause internal bleeding.
- Avoid spicy, very hot, and very cold foods during the recovery process. Instead eat soft foods like pasts, eggs, cheese, vegetables and yoghurt. It is also important that you drink lots of water to avoid dehydration so that your gums can heal faster.
- Use a toothbrush with very soft bristles for brushing your teeth, and make sure to follow your dentist’s instructions for toothpaste and how to brush.
- If you notice any unexplained swelling or bleeding, contact your dentist immediately.
Wrapping Up
As far as making the choice to go for gum reshaping, your dentist is in a better position to offer expert advice. He or she will examine your mouth, gums and teeth to determine just how uneven your gums are, and whether you actually do need gum reshaping.
Once this has been determined, your dentist will present you with a list of options and help you in making the right decision.
In just a few days, you can have that confident smile you have always wanted, so that you can hold your head up in public.
Leave a Reply