Gum reshaping is a cosmetic dental procedure. When your gums sit too high or too low on the teeth, or the line is uneven, it can cause an aesthetic concern.
Gum reshaping (gum contouring, tissue sculpting) is used to even out your gum line, giving you a beautiful smile you will love showing off.
Is the Procedure Painful?
Traditionally, gum reshaping is done with a scalpel. It is done under a local anesthetic so that you will not experience any pain during the procedure. However, after the procedure you will experience pain and discomfort. Today, many dentists opt to use a laser for gum reshaping. While a laser helps to reduce the discomfort you feel after the surgery, you may still experience some. There are ways to deal with it.
OTC Medication
Pain following a gum reshaping, particularly with a laser, is often mild. If you do experience pain, your dentist may recommend that you take an over the counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen. Avoid aspirin containing medications, as they can thin the blood and cause bleeding.
Watch Your Diet
Your gums will be sensitive following surgery, regardless of which tool is used. For this reason, you should avoid eating anything hard or crunchy. These foods can irritate the gum tissue, making your recovery longer. Be careful what you eat, and stick with softer foods until you have healed.
Limiting Activity
Rest is an important part of healing. You should limit your activity, particularly strenuous activity, for at least a few days. Too much activity, heavy lifting and the like can cause blood to flow to the area too quickly, exacerbating pain, swelling and even bleeding, increasing your healing time.
It can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to heal from gum reshaping. During this time, your pain should lessen. If it becomes worse, or is unmanageable, contact our office right away.
