This article explains what cosmetic dentistry can do for patients whose gums are less than perfect, whether they have too much gum tissue, or too little.

1. Cosmetic Dentistry Long Beach: Everything You Need
to Know About Gum Recontouring
This article explains what cosmetic dentistry can do for patients whose
gums are less than perfect, whether they have too much gum tissue, or
too little.
The shape, color and size of your teeth often steal the limelight when it comes to what we consider to
be beautiful in a smile, but your gums also play an integral role! If your gum tissue is excessive,
insufficient or uneven, it can totally ruin your smile and make you feel terribly self-conscious.
Thankfully, there is a cosmetic dentistry technique used by Long Beach dentists that is dedicated to
the correction of gum lines that appear to be unnatural or aren’t beautiful and its called gum
recontouring.
Let’s take a look at the various conditions gum recontouring can treat and what patients can expect from
it.

2. Not Enough Gum Tissue and a “Toothy” Smile: Gum Grafts
Crown lengthening gum recontouring is typically done using a special dental laser, which is very
quick, highly accurate and – with the use of local anesthesia – painless for patients. Healing is also
quick and you should be comfortable again within a few days after the procedure.
While puffy or swollen gums are often a result of bacterial infection, there are some Long Beach
residents who develop a “gummy” smile because of genetics. If the tissue is healthy and if your
condition isn’t the cause of gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease), Long Beach dentists may opt to
perform a simple crown lengthening procedure, which involves the removal of a thin strip of gum
tissue from the crowns of the teeth. This will make your teeth appear larger and therefore, your
smile more healthy, natural and less “gummy.”
Too Much Gum Tissue and a “Gummy” Smile: Crown
Lengthening
The opposite condition to that described above is a smile that appears to have insufficient
gum tissue thereby making the crowns of the teeth look too big. If gum recession caused by
gum disease and bacterial infection isn’t to blame for this condition, cosmetic dentists in
Long Beach can perform gum grafts to cover up portions of the exposed teeth and/or tooth
roots, thereby restoring a more natural tooth-to-gum ratio.
This procedure is also often recommended to Long Beach residents who have received trauma to the
mouth and whose gum tissue has been scraped away from the teeth as a result. This is often noted in
patients who have had lip or tongue piercings done. Since the roots can be very sensitive to hot and
cold temperature extremes, gum grafts can provide a fantastic solution, both in terms of comfort and
aesthetics.
During this procedure, Long Beach dentists will apply a thin strip of tissue – usually harvested from
the roof of the mouth – to the region of the tooth that has become exposed. It is then sewn in place to
provide adequate coverage and a more natural and healthy-looking gum line. Don’t worry: gum
grafts are always done using a local anesthetic, so you’re very unlikely to experience any discomfort
during the procedure! Healing is also typically quick.

3. A Final Note on Gum Recontouring
For many Long Beach residents, gum recontouring has made a world of difference to the
quality and appearance of their smiles. The procedures used are quick, safe and the
outcomes fantastic, especially those who have struggled with excessive or inadequate gum
tissue their whole lives.