A Gummy Smile Isn’t Just for Babies (Though, They’re Far Less Cute on Adults)

Are your gums too high or too low? We know it’s not something that people typically think about, but take a look in a mirror: Do your teeth look too small and your gums too big, or vice-versa? Are you unhappy with your smile? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be the perfect candidate for gum contouring.

Gum contouring – also called gum reshaping or tissue sculpting – is a cosmetic procedure that is done to even out uneven gum lines and give you the smile you’ve always wanted but didn’t know you could have. While gum contouring isn’t always medically necessary, it is a procedure that can give you the confidence you’ve always needed to go out and go after the things in life you’ve always been too ashamed to pursue. In this sense, gum contouring grants life in its own unique way.

However, gum contouring isn’t strictly cosmetic either. Individuals whose gums are to high often experience severe dental problems, such as decay and tooth loss. This is because, in extreme instances, the gums recede so much that the tooth’s root becomes exposed. Oftentimes, this recession is a sign of periodontal disease—the deterioration of the supporting structures of the teeth, gums and bone. When this is the case, patients undergo gum contouring as part of a necessary treatment.

Find out what causes uneven gums, why gum contouring is sometimes necessary, how much the procedure costs and what to expect from the surgery at http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/gum-contouring-procedure