There are many misconceptions surrounding gum contouring, and people tend to be frightened by the term. If you're considering this procedure, here's an outline of what you can expect at your appointment and how you can prepare yourself beforehand to make sure the process goes smoothly, and you get the results you want!
What is gum contouring?
In gum contouring, the excess gum tissue is removed. This may be performed for cosmetic reasons, but it can also have a functional purpose if an overabundance of gum tissue interferes with biting or chewing. A dentist will take down excess tissue and place sutures to ensure that gums stay firm and healthy.
The process of contouring
Before any excess tissue is removed, your dentist will thoroughly examine you and develop a customized treatment plan based on your unique oral health needs. If contouring is recommended, you may be given antibiotics to protect against infection. The procedure usually lasts between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on how much tissue needs to be removed. Before having contour surgery, it's important to understand that there are risks associated with it, including infection or damage to soft tissues in your mouth, such as nerves and blood vessels.
Your dentist will likely numb your gums with local anesthesia to perform contouring. Next, they will make a small incision where excess tissue is located. The dentist may also use lasers to remove some tissue and speed up healing time. Once all excess tissue has been removed, sutures may be used to help ensure that there's no bleeding or infection.
Recovery
Patients may feel mild discomfort after contouring, but they can generally return to work and daily activities shortly after their procedure. After surgery, patients will want to take it easy for several days or weeks as gums heal and swelling goes down. While there are few long-term complications associated with contouring, patients need to keep their appointments so that doctors can monitor how well healing is progressing.
A patient may experience some temporary discomfort during contouring, but there are very few complications associated with gum contouring. When healing is complete, contouring helps patients improve their smile lines by removing unwanted tissue from the gums.
Risks
Although there are few risks associated with contouring, patients may experience some discomfort. During your consultation, make sure you understand every step of your procedure and that you're comfortable with any side effects or potential problems that may arise. Contouring is typically safe when performed by an experienced professional.
Another potential risk of contouring is infection. Always be sure to follow any post-procedure care instructions, including cleaning your mouth, taking antibiotics or pain medications as directed, and avoiding foods that are hard to chew for several days. For minor surgical procedures like contouring, serious infections aren't common. But it's important to keep an eye on any swelling or discomfort around your gums, as well as notice if you're experiencing increased pain.
Request an appointment here: https://escondidofamilydentistry.com/ or call Escondido Family Dental Care & Specialty Center at (760) 747-7223 for an appointment in our Escondido office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Gum Contouring in Escondido, CA.
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