Excessive Gum Reduction Treatment Q & A
What is excessive gum reduction treatment?
Excessive gum reduction treatment is a procedure to reduce the amount of gum that shows in your smile by cutting away the excess tissue. While there are some cases where excessive gum reduction treatment may be done for medical reasons, it’s more often than not a cosmetic surgery that’s intended to improve aesthetic appearances and make you feel happy about smiling!
How is excessive gum reduction performed?
Excessive gum reduction is an outpatient procedure performed in Dr. Pham’s office. When you come in for treatment, Dr. Pham marks out your proposed new gum line by using a pen to draw over your existing gums, ensuring that you’re both in agreement of how much gum to remove.
Next, Dr. Pham numbs your gums using a local anesthetic and then removes your excess gum tissue using either a scalpel, a laser, or radiosurgery. The tools he uses depend on how much gum removal is necessary and the current condition of your gums.
What is the recovery from excessive gum reduction treatment?
If Dr. Pham uses a scalpel for the procedure, you might have sutures in your gums to help aid your recovery. You might be prescribed an antibiotic rinse to ensure that the surgical site stays clean, and you’ll need to take extra care to brush your teeth gently. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to fully recover from the treatment.
After the procedure, your gums will be irritated and swollen. You might be slightly uncomfortable, but you can treat the swelling and irritation with periodic icings and over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen.
You need to take extra caution when you eat in the days following excessive gum reduction. Your gums will be tender, so you should avoid hard and sharp foods that can irritate them. Dr. Pham recommends sticking to a diet of soft foods, like yogurts, soups, and oatmeal, while you heal.
If you’re interested in learning more about improving the appearance of your smile with excessive gum reduction treatment, schedule an appointment at Crownridge Dental today or use the convenient online booking tool.