Article Surfing Archive

Surgery of any type (especially dental) sends chills up the spine. However, cosmetic gum surgery performed by a qualified cosmetic dentistry expert is relatively simple and can greatly improve the appearance of your smile.

Cosmetic surgery is mainly the solution to two types of problems: the 'long tooth' look and the 'gummy smile'. Both of these conditions are usually caused by aging, gum disease or poor oral hygiene. They progressively grow worse with age. Cosmetic gum surgery can also help people with collapsed gums in the area of a missing tooth, blackened areas between implants, crowns or other teeth and tooth sensitivity caused by receding gums.

The 'long tooth' look is caused by receding gums or a bad bite. As we age, our gums naturally shrink and recede. This can leave your teeth overexposed at the gum line.

The 'gummy smile' is caused by excess gum tissue, which causes the teeth to appear too short. People with a gummy smile often feel self-conscious about the amount of gum tissue visible when they smile.

How is Cosmetic Gum Surgery Performed?

The two main types of cosmetic gum surgery, used to correct the long tooth look and the gummy smile, differ. The gummy smile corrective surgery reduces the excess gum and bone. The cosmetic dentist typically uses a laser to perform this type of surgery. A soft-tissue laser removes excess gum tissue while a specialized laser cuts away excess bone.

The procedure for correcting the long tooth look works in much the same way as a skin graft. Your cosmetic dentist removes healthy skin from the roof of the mouth and grafts it onto the gum line. The result is a natural looking, reinforced gum line.

Before undergoing any type of cosmetic gum surgery, discuss the procedure thoroughly with your cosmetic dentist. This procedure may be just one aspect of an overall plan with several components to improve your smile. Cosmetic gum surgery might be complimented with the use of veneers, bridges, crowns or other cosmetic dentistry treatments to get your smile looking its best. This might require more than one cosmetic dentist if all of the procedures are to be completed at once.

Will I Be Awake for This Procedure?

You need to discuss this question with your cosmetic dentist. There are two possibilities:

1. You may have the surgery done in a series of office visits. The cosmetic dentist will use a local anaesthetic each time to freeze the area of the gums they are working on. This is a good possibility with the laser surgery used to correct the gummy smile. Each visit could see more gum and bone tissue removed.

2. You might be given a general anaesthetic and have all of the work performed at once. This may be necessary if you are having grafting done from the roof of your mouth to correct a long tooth smile. If you require other work such as dental implants or preparation for veneers, have all of the work done while you under anaesthetic. There are risks every time you use a general anaesthetic so avoid having more than one done for dental work.

How Long Will It Take To Recover From Cosmetic Gum Surgery?

The speed of your recovery depends on your overall health and the extent of the surgical work. However, there are important steps you can take to aid in a healthy recover.

Have a responsible person accompany you to the appointment. This is necessary is you are having a general anesthetic, but also wise if you are being frozen and taking painkillers. Follow your cosmetic dentist's after-care instructions carefully. They will probably recommend that you use an antibacterial mouthwash for at least two weeks after the surgery to prevent infections. Ask the cosmetic dentist or their hygienist to demonstrate how you should brush your teeth until your gums are healed.

Plan on eating a liquid/soft diet for several days after the surgery. Soups, oatmeal, yogurt and other nutritious choices will keep you feeling strong, help you heal faster and shouldn't irritate the gums. Avoid spicy or acidic foods such as salsa, which could inflame your sensitive post-surgery gums.

How Much Will This Cost Me?

The cost of the surgery depends on the amount of work you are having done. If you need two or more cosmetic dentists to perform several procedures at once, expect the cost to be greater. General anaesthetic will also cost extra as it must be performed by a qualified anaesthesiologist.

As with any surgery, price should not be your primary consideration. Concentrate on finding the best qualified and most experienced cosmetic dentistry professionals to perform the work. View their portfolios, call their references and ask questions until you are satisfied that you know everything you need to know about the procedure.

Once you have your plan in place, work on funding the surgery. Some people have saved for the procedure, as it is a cosmetic issue that has greatly affected their self-confidence and they can't wait to have it done. Others might have suffered sudden damage or extreme tooth sensitivity that makes the surgery necessary but out of their price range. Work with your cosmetic dentist to find a solution through financing, payment plans, a loan or a line of credit.

Take care of your gums in the months and years after surgery by brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist for check-ups regularly. Work hard to prevent gingivitis and other periodontal diseases that may make it necessary to undergo gum surgery again in the future.