Gum contouring and crown lengthening to restore the appearance and health of your smile
Your gums serve many purposes. This reddish-pink tissue surrounds and protects the roots of your teeth from decay. Soft gum tissue also helps to hold the teeth in place. The gumline also affects the overall appearance of your smile. Your gums “frame” the teeth. So, when they are out of proportion to your teeth, it can detract from the beautiful balance of your smile — a condition many patients describe as a gummy smile.
Dr. Ravi Shah and Ocean Shore Dentistry give your gums the special attention that they deserve with procedures such as gum contouring and crown lengthening at our office in Ocean Township, New Jersey.
What is gum contouring?
This procedure generally involves reshaping the gummy tissue. Gum overgrowth or excess tissue may also be removed. Gum contouring can be used for both cosmetic and restorative purposes. This process can bring balance to a smile whose gumline may overwhelm the teeth — making gum contouring the ideal gummy smile treatment for patients in Ocean Township, NJ. Or, it can be recommended as part of the treatment to rebuild damaged teeth or diseased gums.
What can I expect from this treatment?
The process largely involves precisely numbing the area to be altered. So, you won’t feel discomfort. Depending on your needs, the tissue may be loosened and then shifted to, for instance, recessed areas. Dr. Shah can also trim away excess tissue, revealing more of the teeth for cosmetic reasons or in preparation for the placement of a dental crown.
What are the benefits of gum contouring?
Many! Gum reshaping promotes more attractive proportions between the gumline and the teeth. It also supports successful restorative treatment when Dr. Shah applies his skill for “crown lengthening.” By revealing more of the tooth, the crown has a greater surface area to attach to. Additionally, as a periodontal therapy, removing diseased gums supports healing and a healthy mouth.
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Why would I need crown lengthening?
It can be challenging to treat problems like tooth decay when too much gum tissue is present. In order to treat decay with a crown, the natural crown or white part of the tooth must be accessible and visible. If there isn’t enough tooth structure present, it can be difficult to apply these restorations. Crown lengthening is a predictable, comfortable, and quick way to expose more of the tooth’s natural structure or crown. By removing excess tissue, Dr. Shah “lengthens” the tooth – revealing more of the natural crown.
Specifics about the exact tissues that are removed and/or repositioned to achieve your most beautiful and healthy smile vary from person to person. In general, Ocean Shore Dentistry prioritizes conservative techniques. We preserve maximum healthy tissues. These tissue-preserving techniques are largely associated with minimal pain, downtime, and side effects. We’ll also provide you with clear instructions on how to care for your mouth and what to eat after treatment. To get started on the process, schedule a gummy smile treatment consultation. Call (732) 466-3966 to speak with a member of our team in Ocean Township, NJ, today.
