Our gums are often overlooked in favor of our teeth – they are the most prominent feature of our smiles, after all. Gums are an essential element of your smile too, though, whether they’re highly visible or not. Here are some of the most impactful ways to improve your smile and prioritize gum health at the same time.
Cosmetic Transformation: Laser Gum Contouring
Having a gummy smile is part of a person’s DNA, just like some of us have a gap between our front teeth. You don’t have to accept all the features of your smile if they make you feel self-conscious. For a too-pink smile or gums that show too much for your liking, excess gum tissue could be eliminated with laser gum contouring if you’re a good candidate.
- A laser permanently removes unwanted gum tissue. It does not grow back.
- Treatment is noninvasive, comfortable, and has a quick recovery time.
- The gumline is evened out so it is balanced and symmetrical.
- Short teeth are lengthened, especially when porcelain veneers are added.
- The results are immediate and dramatic – a bigger, whiter smile.
Stop Gum Recession: Pinhole Gum Treatment
When gum tissue is healthy, it supports your teeth, keeps bacteria and plaque from invading the roots, and holds teeth in place. Gum recession, however, can turn healthy gum tissue into problematic tissue that slowly disintegrates and reveals the parts of teeth that should stay hidden and protected under the gums.
Fixing recession with gum grafts is an unpopular option and many people will avoid it entirely and risk their oral health, but the newest innovation in gum restoration is minimally invasive. Pinhole gum treatment is a simple, straightforward procedure that involves making miniscule holes in the gum tissue so the gums can be loosened and repositioned over recessed areas. No scalpels or sutures are necessary, and collagen is inserted into the pinholes to help with healing.
One of the most common causes of recession is teeth grinding and clenching. Talk to your dentist about a customized night guard to prevent unconscious teeth grinding from causing problems.
Banish Infection: Deep Teeth Cleaning
When your dentist refers to deep teeth cleaning, it has more to do with your gum health than anything else. This intense cleaning process targets gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. The goal is to remove the infection before it has an opportunity to spread further and destroy your teeth and oral health.
- Deep teeth cleaning is often referred to as scaling and root planing.
- Infection is manually scraped away or lasered off and plaque and tartar are removed from under the gumline.
- Bumpy surfaces on the enamel are smoothed out to prevent plaque from adhering.
- The goal of this soft tissue management is to clean teeth, rejuvenate gums, and eliminate disease.
No matter what’s going on with your gums, choose Natural Smiles in Louisville, KY, to find out how Dr. Kiran Gill can help you achieve a healthy mouth once again. Contact us to schedule an appointment.