7 Signs You Need Gum Recontouring

Oct 4, 2023

Many people can feel embarrassed the first time they notice a problem with their gums. An issue with the size or a dental problem, like redness, can cause worry and leave us feeling self-conscious.

However, gum problems are more common than you might imagine. For example, 47% of adults over 30 have some signs of periodontal disease.

Fortunately, there are solutions to gum problems. Gum recontouring is one such option you may want to consider. Discover the seven signs you need to talk to your dentist about gum recontouring treatment.

1. Your Gumline Appears Uneven

Your gumline is crucial in how your teeth appear to the world. They contour the teeth, and when straight, they will help you achieve that sought-after smile.

However, some of us develop an uneven gumline. It can be subtle, but it still has a surprisingly significant effect on your smile. When that happens, gum recontouring is the best treatment for fixing the problem.

The treatment will involve reshaping the tissue in the gum to create a more symmetrical appearance. 

Many factors can cause you to develop an uneven gumline. It could be genetic, and if you have a parent with the same features, that’s the likely cause. Sometimes, previous dental work can create an issue with your gumline. 

To check whether you have an uneven or short gumline, inspect it in the mirror or take a photograph. However, the best way to get an answer is during a dental visit. Ask your dentist for their opinion. 

2. You Have a Gummy Smile

A gummy smile is the name given to a mouth appearance that has an unusually noticeable gumline.

This issue is often a genetic condition; you may have had it since growing your adult teeth. However, it can occasionally happen due to a health condition like periodontitis or from medication. 

Gummy smiles can leave people feeling self-conscious about how they look. That imbalance when smiling between our teeth and gumline is why some patients with a gummy appearance often seek cosmetic dental treatment.

Gum contouring is one such option. It reshapes the gumline to create a balance between the gum and teeth. The overall effect is a more noticeable and brighter smile.

3. You Have Receding Gums

If you have had previous dental problems and suffered from periodontal disease, you could be at risk of receding gums. That’s where the tooth root becomes exposed.

Receding gums is a major dental concern and always requires an appointment with a dentist.

Ignoring the problem can often mean it will get worse over time.

That’s because the exposed tooth root doesn’t have the same protective enamel as the rest of the tooth. So, it’s at risk of decay, even with good oral hygiene.

This exposed tooth root can often be more sensitive and leave you with pain when drinking a hot beverage or eating ice cream.

However, gum recontouring can help with a receding tooth issue. The treatment can reshape the gum tissue so it covers the exposed roots. This reshaping work is the best long-term option to protect the teeth.

4. You recently Finished Wearing Braces or Aligners

Orthodontic treatments like braces and clear aligners are the ideal way to achieve a straight set of teeth.

However, sometimes, the movement of your teeth during this treatment can impact the surrounding gumline. It may create an uneven gumline that looks out of place with your recently straightened teeth.

Check this by examining the height of your gums when your alignment treatment finishes. If it’s higher or lower around a single tooth, you could have a gum issue that needs rectifying.

Gumline contouring will allow your dentist to reshape the area in question to help you achieve a perfectly symmetrical smile. 

5. You Have Long or Short Teeth

Some people are born with teeth that appear unusually long or short. This tooth shape is typically genetic.

Though this isn’t a risk to your oral health, it is something that often leaves people feeling mindful about their appearance. Large or short teeth can look disproportionate.

Gum recontouring can offer a cosmetic solution for this condition. It helps reshape the position of the gum so that the teeth length appears more natural.

It’s a subtle change, but it can significantly affect your smile. It’s also a more straightforward solution than other cosmetic ways of changing the length of your teeth. 

6. You Want More Symmetrical Teeth

If your teeth look uneven, you might feel tempted to use a cosmetic treatment like aligners or veneers to create a more symmetrical look.

However, depending on what is causing the unevenness, you could achieve the same result by opting for gum contouring instead. Symmetry often rests on finding a balance between tooth height-to-width ratios.

Gum contouring is an excellent solution because it’s highly precise. By adjusting the gumline, you can improve your teeth’ appearance without the pain or cost of treating the teeth themselves. 

You Have Concerns About Your Dental Health

Gum health is crucial for our overall health and well-being. Gum disease not only puts your teeth at risk, but it can cause other problems. Scientists have linked it to cardiovascular disease, for example.

If your gums are creating a problem because they aren’t well-fitted around the teeth, you could get bacteria growth. That, in turn, leads to advanced gum disease and other issues like the potential for a painful abscess.

If this is the situation with your oral health, gum contouring offers far more than a cosmetic fix. It’s a necessary intervention to improve your mouth health, provide extra gum care, and reduce your risk of future dental problems.

Gum Recontouring: Achieving the Perfect Smile

Gum recontouring is an innovative and safe way of adjusting your smile. It can leave you feeling more confident, and it could also improve your oral health.

To consider this treatment further, take a moment now to book an appointment with one of our dentists at Toothologie. We can examine your mouth and tell you if you are a candidate for this groundbreaking treatment.