3 November 2015
 Categories: Dentist, Articles

If excessive gum tissue and calcified plaque cover your teeth crowns, do something about your dental problems now. A cosmetic dentist solves both problems with gum contouring and tooth scaling. In addition, a cosmetic specialist can use laser technology to perform your treatments without pain or the risk of inflammation and infection. Here's how gum contouring and scaling work, as well as helpful tips you can use to avoid the issues in the future.

What's Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring is a unique and innovative cosmetic dental procedure that removes overgrown gum tissue from around and over your front teeth crowns. The cosmetic dentist uses a small scalpel to cut away the tissue, or they can use a water-based or light-based laser to remove the tissue.

Because lasers cause very little pain to patients, the cosmetic dentist you choose may use one for your gum recontouring instead of a scalpel. The dentist needs to inject numbing medication into your gums if they use a scalpel, which can make your gums feel sore and sensitive during and after your treatment.

One of the best things about gum contouring is its ability to reshape your overgrown gums quickly and effectively. The treatment evens out your gumline so that each tooth crown appears longer when you smile. For instance, if you have more gum tissue over your top front teeth than you do on your bottom front teeth, the treatment can make both rows of teeth look uniform and even.

Gum reshaping by laser also gives a cosmetic dentist an opportunity to remove the calcified plaque from your teeth crowns. Calcified plaque or tartar can eventually lead to gum disease without treatment. If you have gum inflammation or infection from tartar, scaling is the right treatment for you.

How Does Laser Scaling Work?

Because your gums need time to heal and adjust to their new shape after the contouring treatment, the cosmetic dentist waits a few days to scale your teeth. Scaling describes a procedure that removes hard plaque from around and below the gumline with a mechanical dental tool called a scaler. The tool breaks the tartar into tiny pieces so that dentist can suction them away.

After the cosmetic dentist completes the scaling treatment, they clean the surfaces of your teeth crowns with a laser. The laser doesn't require anesthetic medications to numb your gums, but the dentist can apply a topical ointment on your gums if you feel anxious or sensitivity during the treatment.

One of the most interesting things about diode lasers is their ability to heal your gums from the effects of gum disease. If your previous overgrown gums developed sores, the laser helps them heal and recover by encouraging healthy cells to grow inside them. 

After the cosmetic dentist completes your dental treatments, take steps to protect your newly reshaped gums from future infections. It's a good idea that you invest in an electric water flosser. The flosser uses water to clean away bacteria, plaque and food particles before they harden. You should use the flosser twice a day for the best results.

Massaging your gums with the pads of your fingertips before you brush your teeth or clean away plaque with the water flosser also keeps your gums healthy. The massage circulates blood to your gums and teeth roots. Always use warm water and gentle pressure when you massage your gums to avoid scratching or tearing them.

In addition, you can eat protein-rich foods, such as firm tofu and avocados, 5-6 times a week. Protein rebuilds the red blood cells in your gums, which keeps your reshaped gums firm, healthy and rose pink. 

If you need more information about gum contouring or scaling, contact a cosmetic dentist for an appointment or visit http://www.claremontdentalinstitute.com.