How Laser Dentistry Can Be Used to Reshape Gums

For those wanting to improve gum appearance, laser dentistry can be an excellent option. Gum shape can make the teeth of some individuals appear small or uneven. For others, gum shape creates dissatisfaction with the look of the smile. Everyone should feel good about their smile, and laser gum reshaping can correct these issues without being overly invasive. Here are some ways gums can be reshaped using lasers.

Removing excess tissue

Some people’s gums are excessively low and cover up an abnormal amount of the teeth. This makes the teeth appear short and small. Others simply have too much tissue in the gum area, making the gums the prominent feature of their smile. Fortunately, there are procedures that can correct these conditions. To fix teeth that look too short, a dental professional removes the unnecessary gum tissue to reveal more of the teeth and make them look longer. To fix a mouth with prominent gums, a dentist can shave off some of the excess tissue and reduce the appearance of the gums.

While these types of procedures have been available for years, they have traditionally been done using a scalpel and other metal instruments. In more recent years, dental professionals have started using laser beams. Using a laser is less disruptive to the tissue, which makes the procedure less painful. The light also cauterizes as it removes the tissue, reducing bleeding and allowing for faster healing. 

Creating an even gum line

Uneven gums is another common concern for people. Though the teeth may have grown correctly, an irregular gum line can make the teeth look unhealthy or unsightly. In other cases, people who get dental crowns experience uneven gum growth around the root of the crowns. Lasers can be used for both types of patients to make the gums look straight. Those with an uneven gum line can take advantage of cosmetic laser procedures to make them look more symmetrical. For patients experiencing unnatural gum growth around a crown, correcting the issue is more than just cosmetic, as overgrown tissue in that area can lead to gum disease and infection.

One of the advantages to using lasers to reshape the gums is it does not involve stitches. This not only allows for less tissue disruption and pain but also helps the gums heal more quickly. These factors combined result in a reduced risk of infection after the procedure. In most cases, there is little to no pain involved with laser treatment, and the gums can be completely healed in anywhere from two days to two weeks.

Conclusion

Reshaping the gums can be an ideal way to remove excess tissue and fix uneven gums. Using laser dentistry instead of traditional metal tools to perform these procedures can help reduce the amount of pain a patient experiences, trauma to the gum tissue, bleeding and risk of infection. It can also allow the gums to heal more quickly. 

Are you considering laser dentistry in the Dallas area? Get more information.