What if you have cosmetic issues that cannot be treated with teeth whitening or even custom-made porcelain veneers? We’re talking of course about issues related to your gum line, such as a gummy smile. To correct these issues and improve smile beauty, your Astoria, NY, dentist may suggest a single-visit treatment known as gum contouring.
The Factors Behind a Gummy Smile
A gummy smile is a term for a smile that displays too much gingival tissue, which could lead to teeth appearing small or uneven, causing esthetic issues that cannot be addressed with whitening, bonding, or veneers. In addition, swelling due to periodontal issues could also lead to the appearance of excess gingival tissues. Often, we can use the contouring process to correct both of these issues and restore both the health and beauty of your smile.
The Contouring Process
We start with a thorough exam to assess the cause and extent of your cosmetic issues. If we decide gum contouring is the way to go, then we will use a special radiosurgery unit to begin trimming away excess tissue. In the process, we reshape the gum line and improve overall symmetry as well. The process is comfortable and rarely requiring the use of anesthesia. In fact, the radio surgery unit also lowers the risk of infection and bleeding, requires no sutures, and promotes a faster healing period than treatment with a scalpel and sutures. Following treatment, you will need to avoid strenuous activity for about a day, after which you can likely return to your normal activities.
Addressing Periodontal Health Issues
When a patient develops a more advanced case of gum disease, the threat of periodontitis and tooth loss increases substantially. With the same treatment, we can remove disease tissues to help reduce the depth of periodontal pockets and improve overall health. We can then manage periodontal issues with routine cleanings and other preventive treatments, protecting your smile from major oral health complications.
What About Tooth Contouring?
We also offer contouring for your teeth, although the procedure is very different. With this procedure, we sand and buff away outer tooth structure to smooth away pits, grooves, and rough patches. We also dull pointed or sharp teeth, repair minor chips, and even reshape malformed or overly large teeth. If you have any questions about either of our unique contouring procedures, or any of our other cosmetic treatments, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Our Cosmetic Treatments?
Our team is ready to help you obtain a beautiful and amazing new smile, often in one visit. To learn more about addressing the factors behind your esthetic complaints, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
