Cosmetic Gum Contouring
The gums that surround your teeth serve several functions, not the least of which is protecting your vulnerable roots and providing stability. However, they also frame your smile, and therefore can have a significant influence on its appearance. Though you don’t typically show much of them when you smile, excessive gum tissues can be highly noticeable and make your smile seem crooked or uneven. Known as a gummy smile, this condition is common and can be caused by a number of different factors. The good news is that Dr. Lawson can improve your gummy smile with cosmetic gum contouring, which she can usually perform quickly and comfortably using laser dentistry.
Laser Gum Contouring
The concept of gum contouring is fairly simple; by trimming away excessive gum tissues, Dr. Lawson can create a more symmetrical, even, and attractive frame around your smile. Traditionally, cosmetic gum contouring has been a minor oral surgery procedure, involving a scalpel and sutures. However, at Lawson Family Dentistry, we can perform most gum contouring procedures with a carefully calibrated, soft-tissue diode laser. The laser eliminates the need for a scalpel, offers more precise and more esthetic results, and allows your gums to heal quickly without the need for sutures. The improved accuracy and faster healing means a significantly reduced risk of infection or gum disease following your procedure.
If you’ve spent years wondering how to correct your gummy smile, let Dr. Lawson and our team help you with gum contouring! Schedule a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Lawson by calling our dental office in Urbandale, IA, today at 515-278-4366.
