Gum Recontouring and Crown Lengthening – Raleigh, NC
Say Goodbye to
Your Gummy Smile
Do you feel self-conscious about your appearance because a lot of gum tissue is visible when you smile? This issue, known as a gummy smile, is quite common. Dr. Lisk and our Raleigh dental team want to help via our gum recontouring and crown lengthening services. What do these cosmetic procedures involve, and how might they benefit you? Continue reading this page to discover useful information, and then contact us when you are ready to book your consultation.
Why Choose Dr. Philip A. Lisk for Gum Recontouring and Crown Lengthening?
- Highly Skilled Dentist with a Keen Eye for Details
- Attentive and Kind Dental Team
- Beautiful, Long-Lasting Results
What Are Gum Recontouring and Crown Lengthening?
Gum recontouring is a cosmetic procedure wherein Dr. Lisk carefully removes excess gum tissue from a patient’s mouth. As a result, more of the underlying dental structure is revealed, so the teeth look longer and the entire smile has more pleasing proportions. This service may also be called gum contouring, a gingivectomy, or gingivoplasty.
Some people believe that gum recontouring and crown lengthening are the same thing. However, crown lengthening may involve modifying both the gums and the underlying bone, whereas gum recontouring is usually limited exclusively to the gum tissue.
Who Is a Candidate for Gum Recontouring?
You may be a candidate for gum recontouring or crown lengthening if:
- More than a few millimeters of gum tissue are visible when you smile. Even some very slight modifications to your gumline could dramatically improve your smile’s appearance. However, remember that not all cases of a gummy smile are due to overgrown gum tissue. You might have an upper lip that retracts too far, which is a separate issue.
- Your gumline is uneven. Some people have more gum tissue on some teeth than others. Gum recontouring can often resolve this problem.
- You are interested in other procedures. You may need gum recontouring or crown lengthening to make more room on your teeth for a restorative crown or veneers.
- You have periodontal disease. In some cases, a gingivectomy is used to remove diseased tissue so the mouth can recover from a serious infection.
What Is the Gum Recontouring Process?
One of the first things we will do during your appointment is make sure you are comfortable. To that end, we will administer local anesthetic to numb your mouth. We may also provide sedation. Then, Dr. Lisk will carefully perform the procedure, removing just enough gum tissue to provide your desired results.
Depending on the extent of the work that needs to be done, you might need to have your procedure completed across multiple appointments.
After a gum recontouring procedure, you can expect to experience some soreness and swelling in your mouth. Our team will give you instructions to make your recovery as fast and comfortable as possible. Once you finish healing, you can expect to enjoy long-term benefits from your procedure. In fact, your results are likely to last throughout your lifetime!
Gum Recontouring and Crown Lengthening FAQs
Is Gum Recontouring Painful?
Gum recontouring in Raleigh is not generally considered to be painful. Your cosmetic dentist will administer an effective anesthetic that will numb your mouth so that during your treatment, you’ll likely only feel some mild pressure.
After your treatment, your gums may be sore and a bit sensitive. While aspirin could increase post-op bleeding, you can take Tylenol or ibuprofen as needed to alleviate any discomfort. We recommend avoiding hard and crunchy foods, as well as treats with strong flavors, as they could irritate your gums.
What is Recovery Like After Gum Recontouring?
Gum recontouring recovery and aftercare is pretty straightforward. It’s worth noting, though, that it can take up to two weeks for your gums to completely heal, even if you start feeling more normal within a few days. Follow the instructions we provide you carefully, and you should be able to avoid complications.
We’ll review the details more closely with you at the office, but aftercare boils down to maintaining good oral hygiene habits. It’s important to be gentle when you brush and floss, and to rinse with a non-alcoholic mouthwash.
How Much Does Gum Recontouring Cost?
The cost of gum recontouring in Raleigh can vary depending on your needs, and is typically priced per tooth. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to visit us for a consultation. During your visit, we can also discuss your financing options – dental insurance doesn’t usually cover gum recontouring or crown lengthening, but there are other ways you can save money on treatment!
Enrolling in our in-house dental savings plan will make you eligible to receive discounts on our services. There’s no waiting period, meaning you’ll be able to benefit from the plan the same day you sign up. Alternatively, you could use CareCredit financing to break your overall treatment costs down into smaller monthly payments. CareCredit has many little-to-no interest plans, making them an excellent affordability option for many patients.
How Long Does Gum Recontouring Take?
Ultimately, it will depend on your unique cosmetic needs. That said, the treatment process itself is relatively simple. Most patients can complete gum recontouring in about one to two hours and need only one appointment.
Rest assured, if we think your treatment might take longer, we’ll let you know. It’s important to us that your treatment is as convenient for you as possible, and we’ll work with you closely to make sure your visits fit within your schedule.