Most of us hate going to the dentist! However, we will do it if it means keeping our teeth healthy and preventing pain and issues later down the line. What about a visit to the dentist for cosmetic reasons though, is that ever reason enough to brave the chair?
What Is Gum Contouring?
The medical name for gum contouring is gingivectomy and it means the removal of additional gum tissue or the shaping of the existing gum tissue.
The process can be done using either a scalpel or a laser, and recovery time is usually around 6-8 weeks. If this is something you want, be sure to visit this experienced dentist In Grand Blanc.
Why Do It?
There are two possible reasons for gingivectomy: the treatment of gum disease and for aesthetic purposes.
Gingivectomy may be recommended by your dentist if you suffer from gum disease. Some people have a kind of pocket between their teeth and their gums where bacteria can thrive, and removal of the excess tissue can help stop this from happening. It can also help to protect the remaining healthy gum tissue, and give your dentist easier access to your teeth for cleaning.
Aesthetic gum contouring can improve how your smile looks, particularly for people who feel they have a ‘gummy’ smile.
What Does It Cost?
According to Best Dental Family & Orthodontics in Houston (https://bestdentistinhouston.com/gingivectomy/), gum contouring costs an average of $200 per tooth, with a discount sometimes being offered if multiple teeth are to be worked on.
The procedure may or may not be covered by your insurance, your dentist can help you to assess what your insurer will and won’t cover. Generally, if the procedure is being carried out in order to treat gingivitis then it will be covered, however, if it is being carried out for aesthetic reasons then it won’t be.
Is It Worth It?
If you are treating gum disease, then yes, absolutely! If left untreated gum disease can cause you to lose your teeth meaning that aside from aesthetic considerations you will find it more and more difficult to eat and even talk. Losing teeth can make it difficult to pronounce certain words, and can cause you to make a whistling sound as you speak. You may also find that you spit while you talk.
If you are considering gum contouring for aesthetic reasons then the question is a more personal one. Weigh up the benefits against the cost and the recovery time, taking into account your mental state as well.
If you generally don’t feel confident and fixating on your smile is the latest in a line of aesthetic issues that have caught your attention, then think about whether surgery really is the right thing. Speak with friends and family, or consider engaging with a counsellor to get to the root of the issue.
Get Great Gums
If you feel self-conscious about your smile and it is impacting how you feel when you are talking to people, or when people take pictures of you at events, and you think that it really is about how your teeth look and not about your self-worth more generally, then improving your smile could certainly be worth it.
