Dentistry is continually getting attention from people because of the popularity of the beauty industry. People are quickly learning that dentists are capable of improving their appearance by modifying their smiles. This is the essence of cosmetic dentistry.
However, unlike what some people think, cosmetic dentistry does not only entail non-invasive dental procedures that provide a quick fix to your problem. Some procedures involve intricate surgeries geared toward improving the appearance of your smile.
What Is Cosmetic Gum Surgery?
It is a dental treatment that involves surgically modifying the gum tissue to improve the appearance of a smile. The procedure goes by different names, including gingival sculpting, gum contouring, or gingivoplasty. The surgery is performed in cosmetic dentistry to ensure that just enough gum tissue is displayed when you smile.
Cosmetic gum surgery is performed in two different categories. They are based on the kind of effect desired for a smile. Some patients need more gum tissue, while others need less of it.
Types of Cosmetic Gum Surgery
Cosmetic gum procedures are performed to correct the proportions of gums and teeth when you smile. The teeth should not appear too big or too small in comparison to the gum tissue. To achieve perfection in your smile, a dentist in 60453 has to find the right proportions that befit your facial features. In that sense, a gummy smile for one person may not be the same for another. This is why there are two types of procedures in cosmetic gum surgery:
- Gum reduction surgery – it is otherwise known as gummy smile treatment. It is performed by dentists in East Side to reduce the amount of gum tissue that shows when you smile. A Gummy smile features a kind of smile where a lot of gum tissue shows when you smile so that even teeth appear smaller than they are. Essentially, the dentist will only remove an amount of gum tissue that is necessary to get the proportions of your smile perfect. For this surgery, your dentist uses laser or scalpel for soft tissue, to remove excessive gum tissue. This is after carefully marking the areas of adjustment for a beautiful smile.
- Gum grafting surgery – is a different procedure that works to create more gum tissue in the mouths of patients. The surgery is done for receding gum repair. Receding gums occur when the gum tissue pulls away from teeth. This is typical when the gums have an infection, usually Periodontitis, which is the advanced stage of gum disease. When the gums pull away from teeth, it does not only compromise the aesthetics of your smile but also causes other oral issues. For one, it messes with the stability and support of teeth. Gum grafting surgery is a procedure that corrects this problem by using gum grafts. The grafts help recreate the gum tissue, allowing it to properly support teeth. In that case, when your treatment is complete, your teeth will no longer appear larger than they actually are. The process of this type of surgery involves getting gum grafts from other tissues in your mouth. Usually, the tissue can be obtained from your palate and uses to re-sculpt the damaged gum tissue.
Who Needs Gum Surgery?
In cosmetic dentistry, anyone can benefit from the available dental treatments. However, patients who largely benefit from cosmetic gum contouring are those with:
- Low gum line – otherwise called a gummy smile
- High gum line – usually experienced by most periodontitis patients
- Uneven gum line – sometimes the problem is that some parts of your gum tissue are higher or lower than others. For perfection, the goal would be to even put the gum line. In that case, you would need both gum reduction and gum grafting surgeries.
Still, on multiple occasions, gum-related surgeries are elective procedures, which means they are not particularly necessary medically. For such reasons, you may find that your dental insurance does not cover the procedure. In the case of treating periodontal disease, however, gum surgeries are necessary. This is why you must consult your insurance company about the coverage of your surgeries before getting started.
