Laser Gum Contouring in North Richland Hills, TX

Your best smile could be concealed by your gums. A "gummy" smile refers to when your mouth has too much gum tissue and not enough visible enamel. MINT dentistry in North Richland Hills, TX is dedicated to helping our patients achieve a more attractive smile through proactive care and advanced treatments. Laser gum contouring uses cutting-edge technology to improve the shape of your gums by excising excess soft tissue and exposing more of the tooth for a stunning smile. In addition to giving you a more aesthetically appealing smile, a higher gumline may also help your health by eliminating areas where debris and bacteria could become caught, which can cause gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease). During your initial consultation at MINT dentistry, our team of board-certified dentists will evaluate your oral health to decide if laser gum sculpting is right for you.

Gum contouring can create a more proportionate smile while improving your overall oral health. You may be a candidate for cosmetic gum contouring if you'd like to improve the look of your smile by reducing the amount of gum tissue that appears when you smile. If your gums appear too low, gum contouring will reveal a more even gumline. Laser gum contouring is also beneficial if you have problems with chronic oral infections or gum disease caused by debris and bacteria trapped in excess gum tissue. Before recommending this procedure, the MINT dentistry team will perform a comprehensive examination and create a personalized plan for your treatment that will optimize your oral health and smile.

Using advanced dental technology, laser gum contouring is an in-office dental procedure performed using a mild local anesthetic. Sedation dentistry is also available at MINT dentistry if you have fears or anxiety about dental treatments. Before the actual procedure, your team will give you time to relax in a massaging treatment chair. You can choose to listen to music through a pair of Beats headphones or watch a television show on a flat-screen. To start the treatment, your gums and teeth will be cleaned then dried to remove excess moisture. Then, a member of the MINT dentistry team will carefully use the laser handpiece to eliminate excess gum tissue until a more balanced gum line is revealed. The heat from the laser cauterizes the tissue for minimal bleeding during the procedure. When your gumline is the desired shape, we will rinse and clean your teeth and gums so you can enjoy the final result. Laser gum contouring treatments should only take, for most patients, one visit, which may be combined with your regular appointment for a cleaning and exam.

After your laser gum contouring, we will discuss instructions for your recovery. Your doctor may write you a prescription for antibiotics if any signs of an infection were observed during the treatment. Your mouth may be inflamed for a while. With a proper oral health routine of daily brushing, the soft tissue will heal and look normal again soon. If you experience any complications, we encourage you to contact our office right away. You should continue to schedule annual dental exams and cleanings so we can check your oral health and help keep your smile great.

Elective cosmetic treatments, like laser gum contouring, are not typically covered by insurance companies. However, we will work to verify if any benefits are available. For patients who aren't using dental insurance, MINT dentistry accepts several methods of payment. A member of our team can go over estimates in your initial consultation plus information on low-interest medical financing to help make your treatment more affordable. We are dedicated to helping every patient get the treatments and procedures they deserve and desire.

Sculpting your gums with laser contouring at MINT dentistry is an amazing procedure for multiple reasons — removing excess gum tissue can correct a "gummy" smile as well as minimize your chance of developing problems with gum disease. If you'd like to have a more confident smile or boost your oral health, you may be a good candidate for laser gum contouring. To get more information about laser gum sculpting, contact our practice in North Richland Hills, TX to schedule your consultation.