Is Gum Contouring Painful?

 

The short and quick answer is that gum contouring or gum reshaping is not a painful treatment. First, why might you consider this dental procedure, the actual procedure itself, and when you could expect some discomfort throughout the entire experience.

 

A Simple Cosmetic Correction of a Gummy Smile

 

A smile can easily define you. A smile can be the basic, foundational element of your mental health, having a major impact on both your self-confidence and self-esteem. A smile is envisioned as a mouthful of beautiful, pearly white teeth. Often, though, a person can have more soft gum tissue visible during a smile than the actual crowns of the teeth. The resulting negative perception can quickly make your teeth look short and stubby. The industry standard for the perfect smile is having two to three millimeters of soft tissue showing while smiling. If the visual amount of gum tissue increases to four millimeters or more, you are now presenting an imbalance of gum to tooth. There is actually nothing functionally wrong with your teeth, just the negative perception it is creating. This means the corrective gum contouring procedure is cosmetic in nature.

 

The Gum Contouring Procedure

 

There is really no pain experienced during the procedure itself. Whether the tool used is a dental laser or a surgical scalpel, the soft tissue will be completely numbed with a local anesthetic before starting. The procedure is really nothing more than trimming and removing the excessive tissue to reveal more of each tooth involved. Sometimes gum contouring may have medical implications if there is either gum disease or sagging pockets around the teeth to be removed.

 

The Healing and Recovery Process

 

If you were to experience any discomfort or minor pain, it would be after the procedure. Your gums could be sore and swollen, and the amount of discomfort can be related to the amount of tissue removed and your pain threshold. The discomfort diminishes in several days, with complete healing within ten days. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be sufficient to control any discomfort. A saline rinse can help improve your healing as well. Your recovery instructions will recommend refraining from smoking or consuming alcohol and focusing on a diet of soft foods. You will be given instructions regarding brushing your teeth and gums during the healing period.

 

The Benefits of Gum Contouring

 

As mentioned, your smile is an asset you alone possess, and it can define your personality. Your smile is an asset that is difficult to put a dollar amount to when it comes to determining its value. The positive change with this procedure is immediate. The change in your smile is both obvious and the perception that comes with it. The health industry strongly recommends that you continue to appreciate your smile moving forward. The documented standard is to brush your teeth twice a day and to floss at least once. Then you complement your established at-home oral hygiene habits with twice-yearly dental examinations, completing your care with a professional cleaning each time. This will allow your smile to continue to light up rooms as you enter.