Uneven Gum Line? Here’s How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Fix It

If your gums rest too high or too low on your teeth, it can cause your smile to look uneven. Having an uneven gum line can make you feel embarrassed about the way your smile appears which can lead to stress and a lack of confidence.

Finding the cause of an uneven gum line and treating it timely is very important since it can help you avoid future health risks. Cosmetic dentistry is considered the most effective treatment approach for an uneven gum line. This treatment reshapes and sculpts your gum tissues to give you a smile you can be proud of.

Before we jump into the cosmetic treatments for an uneven gum line, it is better to know a little about the possible reasons behind this condition. By determining the causes, you can easily come up with the most effective treatment strategy in very less time.   

Causes of Uneven Gum Lines

An uneven gum line can be caused by genetic factors, misaligned teeth, vigorous brushing, etc. If your gums cover a large portion of your teeth, they can appear odd. On the other hand, if your gums are too high, they make your teeth look longer than the normal amount. This condition is also known as Gum Recession wherein gum tissue pulls back from your tooth exposing its root.

Gum recession can lead to tooth decay and in some cases, you can even lose one or more teeth because of this condition. Before you go with any cosmetic dentistry procedure to cure your gum line, it is best to first identify the underlying cause by consulting with a medical expert.

This can help you devise a better treatment plan that doesn’t affect your facial features and gives quicker results.

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures for an Uneven Gum Line

Following are some of the most effective cosmetic dentistry procedures that you can consider to treat your uneven gum line:  

• Gum Grafting

This particular treatment is recommended to those individuals who are suffering from gum disease particularly, Gum Recession. Such conditions can spread below the gum tissue and cause these to recede from the teeth in random places. 

In cases where the patient suffers from mild to moderate gum diseases, things like deep cleaning, taking antibiotics prescribed by your dentist, and changing home care habits can return your gum line to its normal position.

However, for severe gum diseases, you might need to go through a gum grafting procedure. This procedure cures gum recession by covering the exposed teeth roots and adding more volume to your gum line which makes your gums appear even from all sides.

In the gum grafting procedure, the patient is given local anaesthesia and after that the surgeon makes an incision to create a flap in the gums.

After that, the surgeon harvests the gum graft from the roof of your mouth by making another incision. Then the graft is placed on the affected area and is stitched after repositioning it on your gum.

The recovery time for this treatment is about one to two weeks and in some severe cases, it can even take longer for you to resume your normal eating habits.

• Gum Contouring

Gum contouring is used when the patient suffers from excessive gingival display otherwise known as a gummy smile. This condition causes the gum line to extend too far down on your teeth making these appear much smaller. 

This also leads to an asymmetrical appearance of your gums which affects the way your smile appears. Gum contouring is an effective cosmetic dentistry procedure that changes the shape of your gum line making it more even and consistent.

In this procedure, the periodontist gives your local anaesthesia to numb the gum area that needs reshaping. The doctor uses a scalpel or a soft tissue laser to carefully remove the extra gum tissue.

After that, the remaining tissue is sculpted to even out the gum line and expose more of your teeth. To hold the gum tissues in place, the surgeon may use sutures. The recovery time for this procedure may vary based on the extent of contouring and re-sculpting done. 

Usually, it takes about a few days to weeks for your gums to recover and resume their normal functions. It is recommended that you eat soft foods like soup, yoghurt, and applesauce for about 2 to 3 days after the procedure to avoid issues and boost recovery time.           

• Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is another gum contouring technique that is used to reshape your gum line so that your teeth appear correctly aligned. This treatment is non-invasive and it gives the quickest results as compared to other cosmetic surgery methods.

In laser therapy, your periodontist uses a laser to remove affected gum tissues from the root of your teeth. After that, the surgeon removes plaque and tartar accumulated around your gum line.

Then the rough spots present on your teeth above or below the gum line are removed so that your teeth and gums don’t attract bacteria.

Most people can resume their normal activities after one or two days following the procedure. Some side effects of this treatment include discolouration of gum tissues, slight bleeding, and a little swelling which usually goes away on its own.

Final Thoughts

So, these are some of the most effective cosmetic dentistry procedures that can help you get rid of an uneven gum line. With these treatments, you will be able to realize your dream of having the perfect smile in no time.

When choosing a treatment make sure you have accurately figured out the reason behind your gum line. This is only possible when you consult with an experienced dentist about your issue.

Get in touch with Specialist Dental Services for the best uneven gum line treatment in the UK.