Gum Trimming

Healthy gum tissue is an essential part of a beautiful smile. Gum tissue should be pink in color, firm and evenly contour your teeth. In some cases, gum trimming (a process called a gingivectomy) may be necessary for proper dental health or optimum aesthetics.

If you have decay below the gum line, trimming of the gum tissue may be necessary to access the affected area and removed the diseased tissue. In many cases, this is done only after the decay cannot be removed from multiple cleanings.  This procedure is also common prior to adding a crown to a decayed tooth to allow it to be placed below the gum line.

Gum trimming may also be used purely to improve aesthetics. In some cases, the gum margins around the teeth can be uneven, causing some teeth to appear longer than others. In this case, our team can reduce the gum tissue to make the gum contours even, providing for improved symmetry and a more attractive smile.  Other patients complain that their smile is too “gummy” meaning that too much of their gum tissue is displayed when they smile. Our experienced dentists can perform a “gum lift” in these cases, adjusting the gum tissue to correct the proportions between the gum tissue and the tooth surface.

Although it may sound painful, gum trimming is actually quite a simple procedure during which patients generally experience little, if any, discomfort. In most cases, gum trimming is done with a laser or electrosurgery instrument and a topical anesthetic (no needles) is used to ensure the patient is comfortable during the procedure. Generally, the area heals very quickly and there are no side-effects.

Whether gum trimming is a necessary procedure to remove decay or an optional procedure to improve aesthetics, it can work wonders for your smile. Contact our office today to learn more about our state of the art dental services.