How a Cosmetic Dentist Can Improve the Shape of Your Gums

As a cosmetic dentist, our greatest pleasure comes from restoring a beautiful smile to perfection. This means that we have spent decades honing our skills in an effort to give you exactly that, a perfect smile. Our craft focuses on the science of dentistry around restoring teeth, whether by making teeth whiter or straighter or by making sure that the gums do not encroach upon the teeth themselves.

As the drive for beauty has gotten more modernized, people have become more aware of what a cosmetic dentist can do for them. The procedures that we consider common and do every single day, have now become well-known terms among people seeking to better their appearance through our expertise. Using teeth whitening, we can give you a brighter smile, with braces and Invisalign we can straighten your teeth and treat malocclusion, with dental veneers or porcelain crowns we can repair teeth that have been cracked, chipped, or broken, and with dentures, bridges, and dental crowns we can actually replace lost teeth. All of these are tools that are well known and give us the opportunity to improve your smile.

There are a number of procedures that we also perform, which are not as well know and yet serve the same purposes. With any number of these techniques, we have found there to be a significant crossover between what is purely aesthetic and what also has significant dental health implications. These two procedures are both cosmetic in nature, hence performed in our cosmetic dentist office, and also have an impact on your health. 

As a cosmetic dentist, we perform multiple procedures that revolve around the gums, gum health, and the appearance of the gums. For those suffering from dental disorders like periodontitis, these procedures can make a significant difference to their appearance and health. If you have periodontitis, your gums will separate from the teeth. This separation leads to the formation of deep pockets within the gums. Not only do these pockets look terrible, but they are also hazardous to the health of the teeth, gums, and jawbone. Because these pockets are very hard to clean, they start to build up plaque. This in turn can lead to a bacterial infection and additional gum diseases. Hence, it is important for us to remove these pockets.

To do so, we will inject the site with local anesthesia. Then we will remove all the flabby, or loose tissue, which is helping to create the pockets.  Often, during this process, the gums can become misshapen and so we will reshape your gums while doing the procedure. Finally, putty is often placed over the gums so that they are well protected during the initial healing phases. 

Gum Contouring

The gums play a vital role in your mouth’s health. They are also one of the first things a person sees, other than your teeth when you smile. A gum contouring can ensure that your gums are not too long, not too short and that they are the perfect shape to give you an elegant smile. In our cosmetic dentist office, we focus on oral surgery and improving the health and appearance of your gums.  This is one of the ways that we do so.  Given our expertise, if you want to change the shape or appearance of your gums, we recommend that you call and schedule a consultation with our dental office.

What Are the Main Causes of Gum Recession?

Many people don’t realize they are at risk for gum recession, but there are many hidden causes. Gum recession can be an uncomfortable and aesthetically unappealing problem for many people. Our guide to the causes of gum recession may help you avoid this unfortunate circumstance. Prevention this condition is possible, you just have to know how.

Periodontal disease is the most common offender when it comes to causing gum recession. Periodontal Disease is often more simply referred to as gum disease.  It begins with common plaque growth on your teeth or mistreatment of your gums. Plaque is a bacterial form created by poor dental hygiene. In some plaque instances, the lack of thorough brushing and flossing may be the culprit. Consuming sugary or acidic substances without washing your mouth out or employing dental care also causes plaque. When plaque stays on your teeth long enough it turns into tartar, causing tooth decay and gum inflammation. Gum inflammation is also called Gingivitis. At this stage, it is easy to turn around your oral health and eliminate these problems by a simple visit to your dentist for treatment. If these offenders go unchallenged, they can turn into a more serious issue— periodontal disease. This is a deep gum infection that causes your gums to disengage from your teeth, leading to gum recession.

People who commonly use tobacco products are at high risk for gum recession.  Smoke, nicotine, and chewing tobacco all make blood vessels in your gums constrict, causing blood loss to important tissues. They also cause gum irritation and inflammation in general. Chronic inflammation can lead to gum disease, and in turn, gum recession.

Crooked teeth and orthodontic straightening treatments are two more unfortunate circumstances that can cause gum recession. If your teeth are naturally misaligned, the strenuous brushing and flossing process it takes to clean your teeth may irritate your gums. The natural tendency of your teeth to pull against each other may also put stress on your gums. Alternately, if you have orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth, the process can be done too quickly. If this happens, it can move your teeth too quickly for your gums to adjust correctly. Make sure your orthodontist knows about your concerns and adjusts braces and aligning mechanisms appropriately and slowly.

Finally, it is incredibly important that you seek annual dental care. Your dentist can instruct you on proper teeth and gum treatment and on how to avoid possible gum recession. They can also catch issues before you may notice that they are occurring. Fortunately, gum recession does not have to be a problem for your oral health. Take preventative precautions and maintain excellent oral hygiene in your daily life. Don’t brush too briskly or floss too harshly. Treat your gums and teeth with the best care and notify your dentist if you notice any inflammation, discoloration, or discomfort of your gums. The proper care and attention is needed to provide you with the best odds against the many causes of gum recession.  If, however, your gums do recede, we are a specialist that provides non-invasive treatment options to restore your gums to excellent health.