Gum Contouring

Gum contouring also known as gingival sculpting or gingivoplasty is a procedure that reshapes or resculpts your gumline. The  Turkish dentist use scalpels or lasers to remove the excess gum tissue and reshape the gum line to expose more teeth. If you have gum recession, the procedure involves restoring gum tissue.

What Causes Uneven Gums?

An uneven gum line could be the result of genetics, brushing your teeth too hard, and even misaligned teeth. Fortunately, in most cases, an irregular gum line can be corrected. You can discuss your eligibility as a candidate for this procedure with a dentist. Generally, gum contouring process is applied for aesthetic reasons. But it can be also applied to prevent tooth sensitivity or for different medical reasons. If you have periodontal disease, gum contouring may be a treatment option. In such a situation, we first try to eliminate the acute disease. This may include antibiotics to kill the bacteria and infection, or dental cleanings to restore gum health. In these situations , gingival graft is also applied to restore the evenness of your gingival line.

Gum Contouring Procedure

Gum contouring is an in-office procedure usually performed by a periodontist or cosmetic dentist. The dentist plans what he will do during the procedure before the operation. By marking the new gum line, the dentist determines exactly how much gum will be removed and how the gum line will be shaped. Local anesthesia is then applied to numb the procedure area. During the procedure, a soft tissue laser, electrocautery or scalpel is used to remove excess gum tissue and resculpt the gumline to expose more of the tooth. If the bone tissue around the tooth is also removed during surgery, this is called “Surgical Gum Contouring”. Gum contouring procedure takes about half to 1 hour.

Is Gun Contouring Painful ?

Surgical procedures inevitably come along with some amount of pain. The area being worked on is numb from a local anesthetic so no pain is felt during the procedure. After the procedure is completed and the anesthesia begins to wear off is when you will likely begin to experience pain and discomfort. After the surgery, your doctor may prescribe a pain killer like paracetamol or Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Pain and swelling can be reduced by applying an ice pack or cold compress to your mouth for a couple of days after the procedure.

How long does gum contouring take to heal?

General healing time ranges from one week to ten days. If surgical gum contouring is performed, this period may extend up to 2 months. Post-surgical care and following your doctor’s recommendations will speed up the healing process. Here are some general tips to get you through the recovery period:

For several weeks after gum surgery, you will need to take care when brushing and flossing to avoid bleeding. Opt for an alcohol-free mouthwash so you do not cause any burning in the affected areas.

For the first few days after the surgery, it is recommended to eat soft and cold foods such as eggs, pasta, yogurt, cottage cheese, soft vegetables and ice cream, and avoid spicy and crunchy food items.

The more you limit your activity and allow your body to rest and recuperate, the quicker you will heal.

Risks or Complications Associated With Gum Contouring

Every surgery has different risks. Risks associated with gum contouring include:

• Tooth sensitivity may occur if the tooth roots are exposed as a result of cutting the gums.
• Relaps which means the growth of the removed gingival tissue may occur.
• In rare cases, allergic reactions to local anesthetics may occur.
• If necessary oral care is neglected after surgery, infection may occur.

How much does gum contouring cost ?

Gum contouring is usually done for cosmetic reasons, for this reason dental insurance does not cover the cost. The cost will vary depending on the amount of gum tissue removed or restored, and whether a specialist performs the procedure. In the US, the procedure would costs range from $50 to $350 for one tooth or up to $3,000 for all of your front top teeth. In the UK, costs can range from £110.00 to £150 per tooth.

Every year, millions of people from America, Europe and many parts of the world travel to Turkey for health tourism. Turkey offers affordable dental care that meets the world standards. You can check our page to learn about the prices of gum contouring and other treatments at our dental center, and you can make an online consultation appointment for more detailed information.