Many of us dream of having the perfect Hollywood-worthy smile, and these days there are numerous cosmetic dental procedures available to help you reach your goal – including gum contouring and tooth reshaping. One of the biggest advantages they offer over other cosmetic dental treatments is that they are a more cost-effective option and provide instant results. Although both are separate treatments, when used together they will create a winning smile.
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Gum Contouring
Gums that rest too high or too low on your teeth can result in an uneven smile, thankfully this can be corrected with a straightforward gum contouring procedure. By altering the shape of your gums, the procedure will make your teeth look straighter and eliminate the look of a “gummy smile” that individuals often find unappealing in appearance. Gum contouring – also known as gum reshaping and tissue sculpting – is carried out by a trained dentist in the same way that any medical dental procedure would be carried out, and requires you to be under local anaesthetic.
What to Expect From a Gum Contouring Procedure
As mentioned above, gum contouring is a routine procedure carried out under general anaesthetic so you shouldn’t find the procedure too unfamiliar compared to a regular visit to a dental clinic in Dublin. In certain cases, some bone may also be removed in order to achieve the best results, although this most commonly happens only when gum contouring is done in preparation for the fitting of a crown.
Gum contouring also has some downtime associated with it. While your gums heal, you’ll need to avoid spicy foods as these can irritate your healing gums, along with any foods that include seeds. You will also be advised to take over-the-counter pain medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage any potential pain or discomfort. You should, however, avoid taking aspirin as this can lead to bleeding while you’re gums are still healing.
Tooth Reshaping
Tooth reshaping – also known as tooth contouring – is one of the few cosmetic dental procedures to offer instant results. If you have crooked or chipped teeth, or gaps between your teeth, you can correct these cosmetic issues with tooth contouring and reshaping. Although the changes are minor, the difference is immediately noticeable, creating a more symmetric and aligned smile. While tooth reshaping and contouring is considered a cosmetic procedure, it can also be used to treat alignment issues and ensure a proper bite.
What to Expect from a Teeth Reshaping Procedure
Before carrying out the actual procedure, your dentist will take x-rays of your teeth in order to evaluate the overall health of your teeth and determine whether or not the procedure will be the right choice for you.
During the procedure, your dentist will either carefully sand away imperfections or use a treatment called bonding to reshape your teeth by filling any chips or cracks. In order to achieve a natural result, your dentist will use dental composite – the same material as tooth coloured fillings. Unlike gum contouring, tooth reshaping procedures don’t usually require the use of a local anaesthetic as the process shouldn’t feel painful or uncomfortable.
To find out if gum contouring and teeth shaping are your ticket to an award-winning smile, talk to your dentist about your options.