Gum Contouring in Houston, TX

Is an overabundance of gum tissue on the front teeth creating the appearance of a "gummy" smile? This is a condition that affects a number of Houston, TX patients. When excess gum tissue appears in the smile, the teeth may look too short and the overall cosmetic aesthetic may seem imbalanced. In many cases, this can be easily resolved with a gum contouring procedure from our skilled team at Made Ya Smile Dental West 8. Gum contouring, also known as crown lengthening, is a treatment we use to remove some of the gum tissue to expose more tooth enamel and sculpt a more balanced smile. In some cases, gum contouring is performed for functional reasons, such as when excess gum or bone tissue prevents our general dentist from restoring a damaged tooth with a filling, crown, or other restoration. To learn if your smile and oral health could benefit from a gum contouring procedure, get in touch with our experienced team and make your consultation today.

Gum contouring may be performed for aesthetic or functional reasons. A number of factors can lead to this overgrowth of gum tissues, including genetics, orthodontic treatment, certain medications, and periodontal disease. When the look of the smile appears unproportionate due to overgrown, excess, an abundance of gum tissue, this gummy smile treatment can work to resculpt and reshape the gumline to show more tooth structure and create a better cosmetic balance for your grin. Removing unneeded gum tissue can also have the benefit of minimizing the areas where harmful bacteria can hide, causing infection. When a tooth has damage or decay that sits near or below the gum tissues, a functional gum contouring procedure may be used to remove gum and bone tissue covering the areas. This can provide us with the access needed to treat the damage and the tooth structure necessary on which to place a restoration and return function. If you feel embarrassed over the look of a gummy smile or have a tooth with damage at or below the gumline, we can let you know if you might be a candidate for a gum contouring procedure.

As a patient of Made Ya Smile Dental West 8, you can always count on our team to place your comfort and care as top priorities. Sedation dentistry services are available if you feel anxious when visiting the dentist. We will also be sure to thoroughly numb your treatment areas before we begin and keep you comfortable throughout the gum contouring procedure. To perform your cosmetic sculpting and reshaping treatment, our skilled team will use advanced dental instruments and techniques to gently remove excess gum tissue and shape your gumline to evenly frame your teeth. In cases where functional crown lengthening is needed, a small amount of bone may also be removed from around the tooth requiring restorative care to give us better access to treat the damage and place a filling, crown, or other restoration. Gum contouring is typically completed within a single visit to our practice. The goal of gum contouring is to enhance your aesthetic appearance by increasing the amount of enamel surface that shows and reducing the level of gum tissue to generate a smile that is wider, better balanced, healthier, and more attractive.

When your treatment is complete, our team will give you instructions on how to take care of your mouth as your gums heal. You may notice minor discomfort following your procedure, but this can usually be managed with nonprescription pain relievers. Our team will schedule a follow-up visit a week or so later so that we can evaluate your healing and remove any sutures that may have been placed. The best way to maintain the results of your gum contouring treatment is through proper home care each day and routine visits to Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 for your dental cleaning and exam visits. Our team will continue to monitor your gumline and provide suggestions on how to maintain the health of your beautiful smile.

Gum contouring may be a covered benefit under your dental insurance policy. Before your scheduled treatment, a member of our business staff will contact your insurance provider to learn more about your plan. Any out-of-pocket costs for your gum contouring will be presented to you prior to beginning your procedure. Our team at Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 is dedicated to helping patients receive the care they need for better oral health and offers a range of flexible payment options to make dental care even more affordable, including low-cost financing solutions.

Do not let the look of a gummy smile keep you from enjoying a confident, beautiful grin. Our skilled Houston, TX team is pleased to offer the solution of gum contouring to eliminate overgrown tissues and resculpt the shape of the gums into an attractive, balanced result. Gum contouring can also be used to enable us to place a restoration on a damaged tooth and may have the added benefit of reducing the risk of gum disease. Partner with our Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 practice and get the healthy, beautiful smile you have always wanted. Schedule your consultation to learn if gum contouring is right for you.