How Does Gum Contouring Lower Your Risk of Gum Disease?

woman at dentist

Many patients who visit Dr. Michaela Tozzi near Las Vegas, NV are looking to repair their uneven gumline. At Michaela Tozzi, DMD, we can resolve oral health problems caused by a gummy smile with laser gum contouring. When the top part of your teeth is covered with excessive gum tissue, it can make your teeth look small. With the help of gum contouring, our cosmetic dentist removes small portions of the gums to create a better contour. Ultimately, this leads to a better-looking smile and improves oral health too. This is because it reduces the places that bacteria in gum pockets can remain trapped and will lead to more advanced stages of gum disease. To learn more about gum contouring in Las Vegas, schedule a consultation at our dental office.

What leads to a gummy smile?

Many things can lead to the gums becoming too low or high, including health problems, taking certain medication, or even genetics. Gums that are too high and make the teeth look long are most often caused by gum disease. Gum recession can lead to serious dental problems, including tooth decay, and, in severe cases, even tooth loss. This is why it’s important to never ignore when your gums begin to look different.

Laser gum treatment can be used to treat many conditions, including:

  • Gum disease

  • Oral growths

  • Peri-implantitis

  • TMD

Who is the best candidate for gum contouring?

You are a good candidate for gum contouring surgery in Las Vegas, NV when:

  • You’re looking to restore your smile and diminishing your gummy-looking smile

  • Your gums cover a lot of your teeth

  • You do not have any existing dental issues (if you do, you must resolve them before gum removal surgery)

  • You get frequent oral infections

  • You have gum disease that is caused by bacteria hiding under this excess gum tissue

What is gum contouring?

At Michaela Tozzi, DMD, we perform gum contouring for Las Vegas, NV patients at our dental office using a mild local anesthetic. We also offer sedation therapy for nervous patients so they can feel comfortable during any dental procedure. Before laser gum contouring, we clean and then dry the teeth and gums. Dr. Tozzi uses the BIOLASE® Epic™ laser to cut away excess gum tissue. This gives our patients a higher gumline. We cauterize tissue to minimize bleeding during laser gum treatment. Once she is satisfied with her results, she will clean your mouth thoroughly. After your gum contouring treatment, swelling or tenderness is normal. It should subside after a few weeks after your gums fully heal.

How gum contouring improves oral health

When your gums don’t cover your teeth properly, it is hard to protect your teeth roots from harmful oral bacteria that lead to gum disease. If bacteria can get beneath your gums, this can lead to gingivitis, the first and only reversible stage of periodontal disease. When you straighten your gumline with gum contouring surgery, Dr. Tozzi helps you reduce these risks to your oral and overall health.

Will insurance cover gum contouring?

Gum contouring is usually considered a cosmetic and elective procedure, so it isn’t usually covered by your dental insurance. However, Dr. Tozzi does accept different payment methods as well as low-interest financing.

Learn how gum contouring improves oral health

Dr. Michaela Tozzi offers gum contouring to patients throughout Las Vegas, NV with a gummy smile. At Michaela Tozzi, DMD, we perform this laser gum contouring treatment in just one visit. To learn if you’re a candidate for laser gum contouring, schedule a consultation today. We also offer online consultations to our patients.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.