How long does gum contouring take to heal completely?

Initial healing from gum contouring typically takes one to two weeks, during which you may experience mild swelling and tenderness. Complete healing and final results are usually evident within four to six weeks as the gum tissue fully settles into its new shape. The healing process varies among individuals, with factors like age, overall health, and adherence to aftercare instructions affecting recovery time. Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days of their procedure.

Is gum contouring painful?

Gum contouring is performed under local anesthesia, so you won't feel pain during the procedure itself. Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort for two to three days after treatment, which can be effectively managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. The discomfort is generally described as similar to having a deep dental cleaning. Following post-operative care instructions helps minimize discomfort and promote comfortable healing.

Will my gums grow back after contouring?

The gum tissue removed during contouring will not grow back, making the results permanent. However, your gums can still change over time due to factors like aging, hormonal changes, or periodontal disease. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits helps preserve your gum contouring results. In rare cases, minor touch-up procedures may be needed years later to maintain optimal aesthetics.

What's the difference between gum contouring and crown lengthening?

Gum contouring primarily involves removing gum tissue to improve smile aesthetics, while crown lengthening removes both gum tissue and bone to expose more tooth structure. Crown lengthening is often necessary for functional reasons, such as preparing teeth for crowns or treating decay below the gum line. Both procedures can improve smile appearance, but crown lengthening is more extensive and typically requires a longer healing period. Your periodontist will recommend the most appropriate procedure based on your specific needs and goals.

Gum Contouring Near You | Seattle, WA, Periodontist

Achieve the Perfect Smile with Professional Gum Contouring

closeup of a gummy smile pre-crown lengthening treatment Your smile deserves to look its absolute best. At Maring Surgical and Dental Implant Center, we offer advanced gum contouring procedures to help patients achieve balanced, beautiful smiles. Our skilled Seattle periodontist, Dr. Susan Maring, combines artistic vision with surgical precision to reshape uneven or excessive gum tissue, revealing more of your natural tooth structure and creating the harmonious smile you’ve always wanted.

Ready to transform your smile? Call our Seattle dental office at 206-343-7500 to schedule your gum contouring consultation with Dr. Maring and discover how this life-changing procedure can boost your confidence and enhance your natural beauty.

Seattle’s Premier Location for Cosmetic Periodontal Care

Downtown Seattle Convenience

Our Seattle location provides convenient access for patients throughout the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Located in the heart of the city, our practice is easily accessible by public transportation, car, or on foot. Ample parking and nearby amenities make your visit comfortable and convenient.

The downtown location also puts us at the center of Seattle’s thriving medical and dental community. This proximity to other healthcare providers facilitates collaboration and referrals when comprehensive treatment plans require multiple specialists.

Serving the Greater Seattle Area

While our practice is located in Seattle, we proudly serve patients from throughout the Puget Sound region. Our central location makes us easily accessible to residents of Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Redmond, and other surrounding communities who are seeking high-quality cosmetic periodontal care.

Many of our patients appreciate the ability to combine their dental appointments with other activities in Seattle, whether for business, shopping, or dining. The urban setting provides a sophisticated backdrop for your smile transformation journey.

What is Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring, also known as gum reshaping or gingivectomy, addresses common aesthetic concerns like a “gummy smile,” uneven gum lines, or asymmetrical gum tissue that makes teeth appear short or disproportionate. This cosmetic procedure can dramatically improve your smile’s appearance while maintaining optimal gum health. Our Seattle periodontal practice has helped countless patients from Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Mercer Island achieve their ideal smile through personalized gum contouring treatments.

During the procedure, Dr. Maring carefully removes small amounts of gum tissue using advanced surgical techniques. She sculpts the gum line to create balance and reveal more of your tooth structure. The result is a more proportionate smile where your teeth and gums complement each other beautifully.

This procedure can be performed on a single tooth or multiple teeth, depending on your specific needs. Many patients combine gum contouring with other cosmetic dentistry treatments like veneers or dental crowns to achieve comprehensive smile makeovers.

The Gum Contouring Process With Dr. Maring

Initial Consultation and Smile Analysis

Your gum contouring journey begins with a comprehensive consultation at our Seattle practice. Dr. Maring performs a thorough dental examination of your gums, teeth, and overall oral health. She analyzes your smile from multiple angles to determine the ideal gum line proportions for your facial features.

Digital photography and X-ray imaging enable Dr. Maring to visualize potential results and create a treatment plan tailored to your specific goals. She discusses your expectations and explains how gum contouring can address your specific concerns while maintaining healthy gum function.

Pre-Treatment Planning

Before your procedure, Dr. Maring marks the areas of gum tissue to be removed, creating a precise roadmap for your treatment. This careful planning phase is essential for achieving balanced and natural-looking results that complement your facial structure and existing teeth.

You’ll receive detailed pre-operative instructions to prepare for your procedure. These may include guidelines about eating, drinking, and medications to help optimize your treatment experience.

The Contouring Procedure

Gum contouring is typically performed using local anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout the treatment. Dr. Maring uses advanced surgical instruments to carefully remove excess gum tissue according to your treatment plan. The procedure is precise and controlled, allowing for artistic shaping of your new gum line.

Modern techniques minimize discomfort and bleeding while promoting faster healing. The entire procedure usually takes one to two hours, depending on the extent of contouring needed. Most patients are surprised by how comfortable and straightforward the process is.

Recovery and Healing

We go above and beyond to ensure your post-operative care is as comfortable as possible. Recovery from gum contouring is typically quick and manageable, with most patients experiencing only mild discomfort for a few days. This can be easily controlled with over-the-counter or prescription medications, depending on your needs. Dr. Maring provides detailed, personalized aftercare instructions to support healing and safeguard your newly contoured gum line.

Follow-up appointments allow Dr. Maring to monitor your healing progress and address any questions or concerns. Your new smile will continue to improve as the gums heal and settle into their new shape.

Benefits of Gum Contouring

Gum contouring offers numerous advantages that extend beyond simple aesthetic improvement. This transformative procedure can enhance both your appearance and oral health while boosting your confidence. The following benefits demonstrate why so many patients choose gum contouring to achieve their ideal smile:

Creates Balanced Smile Proportions: The procedure can make teeth appear longer and more prominent while creating even gum lines that frame your smile beautifully.
Boosts Self-Confidence: Addressing aesthetic concerns about gummy smiles or uneven gum lines allows patients to smile more freely and feel better about their appearance in social and professional situations.
Enhances Facial Aesthetics: The procedure can make your smile appear more youthful and vibrant, contributing to a more attractive overall appearance.
Improves Oral Hygiene: Properly shaped gum tissue is easier to clean and maintain, supporting long-term oral health.
Complements Other Cosmetic Treatments: The procedure can be combined with veneers, crowns, or teeth whitening to create dramatic smile transformations that address multiple aesthetic concerns simultaneously.

Ideal Candidates for Gum Contouring

Patients with Excessive Gum Tissue

The best candidates for gum contouring are patients who feel their gums show too much when they smile or that their teeth appear too short due to excess gum coverage. This condition, often called a “gummy smile,” can affect people of all ages and is easily corrected with gum contouring.

Uneven Gum Lines

Patients with asymmetrical or uneven gum lines benefit significantly from gum contouring. The procedure can create balance, making the smile appear more harmonious and attractive.

Good Oral Health

Ideal candidates have healthy gums and teeth with no active periodontal disease. Dr. Maring evaluates each patient’s oral health status to determine if gum contouring is appropriate or if other treatments should be completed first.

Realistic Expectations

The best candidates understand what gum contouring can and cannot achieve. While the procedure can dramatically improve smile aesthetics, it’s important to have realistic expectations about the results and recovery process.

Types of Gum Contouring Procedures

Traditional Surgical Contouring

Traditional gum contouring uses precise surgical instruments to remove excess gum tissue and reshape the gum line. This time-tested approach allows for excellent control and predictable results, making it suitable for most gum contouring cases.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a specialized form of gum contouring that removes both gum tissue and bone to expose more tooth structure. This procedure is often necessary before placing crowns or veneers and can significantly improve smile aesthetics.

Combination Treatments

Many patients benefit from combining gum contouring with other cosmetic procedures. Dr. Maring works closely with other dental specialists to coordinate comprehensive treatment plans that address multiple aesthetic concerns simultaneously.

Recovery and Aftercare for Gum Contouring

Immediate Post-Procedure Care

The first 24-48 hours after gum contouring are important for proper healing. Patients should expect some mild swelling and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications. Cold compresses can help reduce swelling during the initial recovery period.

Following gum contouring, patients should stick to soft foods for the first few days to avoid irritating the healing gum tissue. Cold foods like smoothies and ice cream can provide comfort while avoiding hard, crunchy, or spicy items that might cause discomfort.

Proper oral hygiene is essential for healing, but techniques must be modified temporarily. Dr. Maring provides specific instructions for gentle cleaning around the treated areas.

Light activities are encouraged after gum contouring, but strenuous exercise should be avoided for the first few days to prevent bleeding and promote comfortable healing. Most patients can return to work within one to two days of their procedure.

Long-Term Results and Maintenance

woman brushing her teeth Gum contouring provides permanent results because the removed gum tissue does not grow back. However, maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental visits helps preserve the health and appearance of your newly contoured gum line.

Proper brushing and flossing techniques help maintain your gum contouring results while supporting overall periodontal health. Dr. Maring provides personalized recommendations for home care products and techniques. Routine dental visits allow for monitoring of your gum health and early detection of any issues that might affect your results. Professional cleanings help maintain the health and appearance of your contoured gum line.

Your gum contouring represents an investment in your smile and confidence. Following recommended care guidelines and maintaining excellent oral hygiene helps protect this investment and keep your smile looking its best for years to come.

Transform your smile with professional gum contouring. Contact our Seattle practice at 206-343-7500 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Maring. We welcome patients from throughout the Seattle area, including those from Bellevue, Kirkland, and Mercer Island, who want to achieve their ideal smile.

Cost and Financing Options for Cosmetic Periodontal Treatment

Factors Affecting Treatment Cost

The cost of gum contouring varies depending on several factors, including the number of teeth involved, the complexity of the case, and the specific techniques used. Dr. Maring provides detailed cost estimates during your consultation, helping you understand your investment in smile improvement.

Payment and Financing Options

We offer various payment options to make gum contouring accessible to patients who want to improve their smiles. Financing plans through CareCredit are available to help spread the cost of treatment over time, making it easier to achieve your aesthetic goals.

Insurance Considerations

While gum contouring is primarily a cosmetic procedure, some aspects may be covered by dental insurance if there are functional benefits. Our knowledgeable staff can help determine if any portion of your treatment may be covered by your insurance plan.

I have complete confidence in Dr Maring; he is efficient, thorough in explaining things, & excellent at what he does. I am so thankful for him & his staff! for him & his staff.

— Lucille N.

The treatment has been excellent and Dr Maring is thorough and thoughtful in his approach. I especially like the time he spent educating me on my condition and treatment options. Very kind and responsive office staff.

— Doug B.

I have been a patient of Dr. Susan Maring’s for more than 20 years. When I have needed the help of a dentist, she knew just the right people. She demonstrates tremendous commitment to her patients. I am lucky to have her in my life.

— Susan C.

From the time I first called to make my appointment, walked in the office and met with Dr. Maring, I was treated professionally and respectfully.

— Theresa L.

Everyone in the office was helpful, skillful, and efficient. I was treated with compassion and professionalism. My questions and concerns got immediate responses. I was so impressed! In addition, I experienced minimal pain after my tooth extraction.

— Marianne C.