• Cosmetic Dentistry
  • General vs. Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Choosing a cosmetic dentist
  • What is the LVI Difference?
  • Characteristics of Award Winning Smiles
  • Cosmetic Procedures/
    Treatments
    • Smile Makeover
      • Questions About Smile Makeover
    • Porcelain Veneers
      • Question About Porcelain Veneers
      • The Dental Veneers Process
    • Full Mouth Restoration
      • Questions About Full Mouth Restoration
    • Tooth Whitening
      • Teeth Whitening Questions
      • Why Should A Dentist Whiten My Teeth?
    • Dental Implants
      • Questions About Dental Implants
      • Dental Implant Candidacy
      • Implants for Supporting Bridges
      • Advantages of Dental Implants
      • A Choice in Anesthesia for Your Dental Implant Surgery
    • Tooth Crowns
      • CEREC: One Day Crowns
      • Questions about Porcelain Crowns
    • Dental Bonding
    • Tooth-colored fillings
    • Porcelain fillings
    • Gum Recontouring
    • Invisalign®
  • Teeth and Aging
• Common Dental Problems
  • Why Do Teeth Darken?
  • Advanced Hygiene and Periotherapy
    • Velscope Oral Cancer Screening
  • Fixing Tooth Decay
• General Dentistry
  • Dental Hygiene Appointments
  • Dental Bridges
  • Dentures / Partials
    • Questions About Dentures
  • What's right for you? Partials vs. Implants
  • Periodontics
  • Preventative Dentistry
  • A Look Back at Dentistry's History
• TMJ / TMD
  • Causes of TMD/TMJ Associated Headaches
  • Neuromuscular Dentistry
  • Questions About Neuromuscular Dentistry
  • Why See a Neuromuscular Dentist?
  • TMJ Treatment Options
  • TMJ and Facial and Neck Pain
• Sleep Apnea
• Metal-Free Dental Practice
• Sedation Dentistry
  • Types of Dental Anesthesia

Gum Recontouring

Bernardsville, Morristown and surrounding areas in New Jersey

Even if your teeth that are healthy and straight, the aesthetics of your smile may suffer if your gums extend down too far and your teeth appear too small. This is often called a “gummy” smile, which can lead to a decreased sense of self-esteem.

Your gums should have an even and smooth appearance, but they should also work to frame your mouth and compliment your facial features. If your gums act as a distraction, then a gum recontouring procedure may be right for you.

Ideal candidates

People with uneven gums or gums that extend too far down over their teeth are ideal candidates for gum recontouring. However, your gums must be healthy in order to undergo the procedure. If you suffer from periodontitis, you should first undergo periodontal therapy to restore your oral health before moving forward with this procedure.

The procedure

Gum recontouring is a safe and comfortable procedure that can be completed in a single visit. First, Dr. Patti Swaintek-Lamb or Dr. Cheryl Tauriello will numb your gums with an anesthetic. Then she will use a diode laser to gently cut away excess gum tissue and sculpt a more uniform gum line. Diode lasers cauterize while they cut, which means there is less bleeding and a significantly decreased chance of infection. The laser immediately seals the tissue, which promotes a fast and relatively pain-free recuperation. The entire gum recontouring procedure can be completed in just one dental visit.

Following the procedure, you may experience some mild soreness or swollen gums for up to a week. The discomfort, if any, should be minimal and should not interfere with daily activities such as speaking, eating and drinking. To alleviate any soreness, you can take Ibuprofen and rise with warm salt water.

Benefits

The gum recontouring procedure is quick and simple. With the ease and comfort of a laser, gums can be recontoured to reveal a more appealing smile. The use of lasers in cosmetic dentistry has many benefits over conventional cutting. Some benefits include:

• The elimination of more extensive dental surgery 
• A reduction in bleeding and infection
• A significant reduction in pain
• Procedures that are completed faster and easier 

If you have a “gummy” smile or your would like to perfect the contour of your gums and you live in the Morristown, New Jersey area, please call cosmetic dentists Dr. Patti Swaintek-Lamb and Dr. Cheryl Tauriello today. At Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville, our friendly dental team can answer your questions and schedule your consultation.

You have nothing to lose by visiting our office. We can help you create the dazzling smile of your dreams. Please contact our Bernardsville cosmetic dentists today. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you.