Dark and gummy smile treatment – 3 effective options that will help
Looking for a gummy smile treatment? Is your dark and gummy smile bothering you? Then this article is for you –
The size and form of our smile line depend on a number of factors, including the size and shape of our teeth, our facial muscles, our gum tissue, and the shape and size of our lips. Gummy smiles can be caused due to various reasons, like abnormal teeth eruption, upper jaw protrusion, hypermobile upper lip, shorter upper lip or vertical dimension of the upper jaw is longer than it should be, bruxism, and more such reasons.
The good part is, that you have a solution!
Gummy smile treatment options
Gingivectomy is a gummy smile treatment option (also known as a gum lift) a cosmetic dental operation that lifts and sculpts the gum line. This surgery entails modifying the tissue and/or underlying bones to give the appearance of longer or symmetrical teeth, therefore improving the appearance of the smile. This procedure is commonly used to smooth out an uneven gum line or to eliminate excessively gummy smiles. Gingivectomy is also used as a procedure to treat gum disease. It is usually done by a periodontist or a cosmetic dentist, depending on the situation.
Also, one of the alternatives for reshaping your gum line is gum contouring, also known as gingival sculpting or gingivoplasty. Gum contouring is a technique that reshapes or resculpts your gum line and is performed by a dental specialist.
Gum contouring is the technique of reducing or cutting away extra gum tissue around your teeth. The technique involves repairing and restoring gum tissue if you have gum recession as well.
When is Gingivectomy or Gum contouring recommended?
A dentist may recommend gingivectomy or gum contouring as a gummy smile treatment if you have gum recession from:
- Gum diseases – like gingivitis
- Aging
- bacterial infections
- gum injury
- Gummy smile due to abnormal teeth eruption, shorter upper lip, etc.
If you have gum disease, your dentist may offer this treatment to prevent further damage to your gums and to make it easier for your dentist to clean your teeth.
Gum disease frequently results in cavities at the base of the teeth. These gaps can lead to the accumulation of plaque, bacteria, and tartar; which can cause further damage.
If your dentist discovers gum disease or infection during a check-up or cleaning and wants to stop it from progressing, they may propose this procedure.
Gingivectomy procedure – gummy smile treatment
It completely depends on the dental care hospital what gummy smile treatment technique they will use to conduct the procedure – Electrosurgery, Surgical gingivectomy, or Laser gingivectomy.
Because developments in laser technology continue to make equipment easier to use, and less burdensome to the patients as well, laser gingivectomies are becoming more popular. Lasers are also more precise and accurate, they allow for faster healing as well as a lesser danger of infection from contaminated metal equipment.
Because laser operations are more expensive and require more training than scalpel procedures, your dentist may opt for a scalpel gingivectomy as the first choice of gummy smile treatment if they aren't trained or don't have the necessary equipment. Dental Professionals at Dental Solutions, Bangalore, are well trained in the use of laser equipment. We try to conduct most of our procedures using laser technology to provide our patients with more comfort and less pain.
The gummy smile treatment procedure would be as follows:
- To numb the area, the dentist will inject a local anesthetic into the gums.
- A scalpel or a laser tool will be used by the dentist to cut away sections of gum tissue. Soft tissue incision is the term for this procedure. [The use of tool depends upon the technique being used by the dental profession]
- During the process, the dentist will most likely use a suction tool to keep it in the mouth to remove extra saliva.
- The dentist will likely use a laser instrument to vaporize leftover tissue and sculpt the gumline after the tissue has been taken away.
- To protect your gums while they heal, the dentist will apply a soft putty-like substance and bandages to the area.
- The dentist will explain to you the procedure to change the bandages/dressings as required.
Gum Contouring Procedure – Gummy smile treatment
A periodontist or a cosmetic dentist frequently performs gum contouring. It's usually a one-visit procedure unless the case is different.
- You'll be administered a local anesthetic to numb the gum area.
- The dentist will use a soft tissue laser or a scalpel to remove excess gum tissue and reshape the gum line.
- The gum tissue may be held in place with sutures.
- If your gums recede and your doctor needs to add gum tissue, tissue from another part of your mouth, such as your palate, will be removed.
It's possible that you won't experience pain right away in both the gummy smile treatment procedures, but as the numbing wears off a few hours after the surgery, the pain may become more intense or persistent. The doctor will prescribe a painkiller to help you keep the pain at bay. You might also notice some bleeding which is normal, however, if you notice excessive bleeding, you will have to reach out to your dentist.
After the gummy smile treatment surgery, most patients can resume their normal dental hygiene routine in less than a month. Routine dental or periodontal examinations will guarantee that the procedure is a success.
Besides, gummy smiles – a lot of people worry and feel less confident because of Gum discolouration or pigmentation.
Worry not! There's a solution for gum pigmentation as well.
Gum depigmentation, commonly known as gum bleaching, is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that lightens or removes melanin-based black spots or patches on the gums, this is mostly performed along with the gummy smile treatment procedure
Genetics is the most common cause of darker colours in the gums. The excess pigment isn't a sign of illness or dysfunction. Patients consider treatment because of aesthetic preference.
Other reasons for dark gums include smoking, medication side effects, and at times the effects of amalgam fillings on the gums.
Laser Treatment for Gum Depigmentation –
Melanocytes are cells found in the gingival epithelium's basal layer. Melanin is a pigment produced by these cells that causes light or dark brown patches in the gums. A dental laser can be used to target and remove melanocytes, which will lower melanin synthesis in the gingival tissue. The gums then become lighter and more uniform in color. As per certain studies, the (Er, Cr: YSGG) laser was found to be effective with no symptoms of re-pigmentation during a 6-month follow-up period.
Image credit: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The laser procedure for gum depigmentation is widely used as it is simple to use, is quicker than traditional methods, and has better bleeding control. The need for dressing is minimized or at times not required at all. Mild postoperative discomfort may occur and is considered normal. However, the procedure requires the use of complex equipment and a trained laser dental professional.
Other ways to treat gum hyperpigmentation are surgical technique, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, gingival grafting or bur abrasion.
For more treatment options on any gum diseases, reach out to the best dentists in Bangalore!