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Gum Contouring Cost London
Everyone has different gum lines. Some gum lines are high while others are in between, low or uneven. If you do not like the appearance of your gum line and wish to change it, there are different ways to do it.
Gum contouring, also called gingivoplasty or gingival sculpting, is a common option for reshaping the gum line. It is mostly done for cosmetic reasons, but some dentists suggest this procedure, especially when the gum issue affects oral health.
020 7139 8611
What is gum contouring?
Gum contouring is a procedure carried out by a dental specialist which involves reshaping or resculpting the gum line.
The dental specialist will remove or cut away the excess gum tissues around the teeth in a gum contouring. If your condition is a gum recession, the procedure will involve restoring the gum tissues.
Usually, gum contouring is elective, which means the procedure may not be medically necessary but will improve your gum, teeth or smile appearance. However, the dentist may recommend this procedure for some oral health reasons.
When is gum contouring necessary?
Most cases of gum contouring are for cosmetic reasons, but the procedure may be a medical necessity in some cases.
Your dentist may recommend gum contouring if you have periodontal disease, but this may be the last resort if non-surgical treatments such as antibiotics to kill the bacteria and dental cleaning are ineffective.
Suppose antibiotics and dental cleanings do not treat your gum disease. In that case, the dentist may perform a pocket reduction surgery on your gums and surrounding bone to save the affected tooth or a regeneration procedure to re-grow the damaged gum tissue and bone.
If gum contouring is part of these procedures to restore the damaged teeth and gum tissues, the dental insurance provider may cover part or the total cost of the procedure. If you need gum contouring for medical reasons, ensure you speak to your dental insurance provider to know what your insurance covers and your out-of-pocket expenses.
What does gum contouring involve?
Gum contouring is an in-office procedure carried out bya cosmetic dentist or periodontist in one visit. You may be awake during the gum contouring, but the doctor will administer local anaesthesia to numb your gums before the procedure
The doctor will remove excess gum tissues during the procedure and resculpt your gum line to expose more teeth using a scalpel or soft tissue laser. The doctor may hold your gum tissues in place with sutures.
In correcting receding gums where the doctor needs to add gum tissues, they will remove tissues from another part of your mouth, usually the palate. The surgery will secure the gum tissues around your teeth to restructure and lengthen the gumline.
The duration of gum contouring will depend on the extent of resculpting and contouring needed. On average, the procedure takes about 1 – 2 hours.
Is gum contouring a painful procedure?
Before the gum contouring procedure, the dental specialist will administer local anaesthesia to numb the gums,preventing pain and discomfort. After your gum contouring, you will likely experience some numbness and tenderness.
The amount of discomfort experienced after gum contouring usually depends on the amount of gums removed or reshaped. After the surgery, the dentist may prescribe pain medications,or you can take over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, avoid aspirin because it causes bleeding.
If you experiences welling, you can apply a cold compress or ice pack to your mouth for some days after the procedure. Ensure you apply the cold compress for about 15 – 20 minutes at a time.
How long is recovery?
Gum contouring requires a little downtime, but recovery and healing take days to a few weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure. Depending on how tender your gums feel, you may have to avoid some activities during the recovery period, especially within the first 24 – 48 hours.
Your mouth and gums will likely feel sensitive after the procedure, so it is best to stick to soft foods for about 2 – 3 days after the surgery. Foods that you can eat after the procedure include:
- Yoghurt
- Soup
- Jell-O
- Applesauce
After the gum contouring, your doctor will provide post-surgery dietary instruction and inform you if you need to avoid any food during your recovery period.
Your follow-up appointment will be within a few days to one week after the procedure. During the follow-up appointment, the doctor will examine your gums to check if you are healing properly and identify signs of infection if present.
Your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic mouth rinse to reduce the risk of infection. Common signs of an infection include discharge from the gums, pain and swelling.
How much is gum contouring?
Gum contouring is mostly done for cosmetic reasons, so dental insurance does not usually cover its cost.
If your gum contouring is not medically necessary, you will pay out-of-pocket for it. The cost of gum contouring depends on the amount of gum tissue restored or removed and the dentist’s expertise. The procedure costs from £35 – £250 per tooth and up to £2,100 for the front top teeth.
If your dentist recommends gum contouring for oral health reasons, your dental insurance provider may cover part of the cost of the procedure.
Whether you need gum contouring for cosmetic or medical reasons, visit Smile Clinic London to consult a dental specialist about the procedure. You can also call 020 7139 8611 or email info@smileclinic.london schedule an appointment with our dental specialist.
