If you’re embarrassed about a gummy smile, gum recontouring can be a great way to enhance your appearance and improve your confidence. However, this procedure isn’t as well-known as other forms of cosmetic dentistry, and as such, there are several misconceptions surrounding it. If you’re trying to decide whether gum recontouring is right for you, it’s important to take the time to learn the truth behind these 4 common myths.
Myth 1: Gum Recontouring is a Painful Treatment
Since gum recontouring involves having a small amount of gum tissue removed, it’s easy to assume that it will hurt. Fortunately, the treatment is more comfortable than you might think thanks to a number of advancements in dentistry. Nowadays, many dentists perform gum recontouring with soft tissue lasers, which are much gentler than traditional dental instruments and cause little to no discomfort. And if you’re still worried about pain despite the use of a laser, your dentist can numb your mouth with a local anesthetic.
Myth 2: Gum Recontouring Can Be Harmful to Your Teeth
The purpose of the gums is to protect the roots of the teeth. As such, you might be worried that having gum tissue removed could cause problems for your teeth in the long run. Rest assured, however, that gum recontouring is a very precise process, especially when performed with a laser. Your dentist won’t remove any more tissue than they need to in order to make the desired changes to your gumline. Once the procedure is done, you’ll still have plenty of gum tissue to keep your tooth roots safe.
Myth 3: The Results of Gum Recontouring are Temporary
Some people don’t see the point of gum recontouring because they assume that the removed gum tissue will simply grow back afterward. However, the truth is that the gums don’t have the same regenerative capabilities as other tissues in the body. As such, once gum tissue is gone, it’s usually gone for good. Thus, if you have gum recontouring performed to enhance the appearance of your smile, the results will likely last the rest of your life.
Myth 4: Gum Recontouring Can Only Correct Excess Gum Tissue
Gum recontouring is often recommended as a solution for an excessive amount of gum tissue, but did you realize that the procedure could also address certain other issues? For example, some people have an uneven gumline that makes certain teeth look longer or shorter than they should. Thanks to gum recontouring, your dentist can reshape the gumline so that you can enjoy a more balanced smile.
Is there anything else you’ve heard about gum recontouring that you’re not sure is accurate? If you schedule a consultation with your dentist, they can answer any questions you might have and give you an accurate idea of what gum recontouring is like so that you can make the best decision for your smile.
About the Practice
At Sound Dentistry, our dental experts use state-of-the-art technology to bring all of our patients high-quality dental care. Our team includes a dentist, a prosthodontist, and a periodontist, allowing us to offer a truly comprehensive menu of dental services. We’ve helped many patients enhance their smiles with gum recontouring and other forms of cosmetic dentistry. If you’re bothered by a gummy smile, you can schedule an appointment at our practice in New Bedford by visiting our website or calling (508) 321-7874.