When most people think of cosmetic dentistry and how it benefits their smile, they focus mostly on the appearance of their teeth. Are they stained and yellow? Do they have cracks or chips? Perhaps they have gaps or are somewhat crooked. There’s a great deal that can be improved about your teeth, but you might not realize that your gums also play an important role in completing your smile. Dr. Todd Pizzi and an onsite periodontist now offer gum contouring in Shrewsbury, MA.

Great Gums Complement Beautiful Teeth

Just as the shape of your teeth can make your smile appear asymmetrical or out of balance, so can your gum line. A special laser contours the gum tissue quickly and with minimal pain, allowing for faster healing time and greater comfort. Rest assured, we take a conservative approach to removing enlarged or excess gum tissue, removing only what is absolutely necessary. If your teeth are otherwise perfect, gum contouring is the finishing touch. However, we have many patients who opt for contouring as part of a full smile makeover, or to prepare their teeth to receive teeth whitening or porcelain veneers.

Contouring Is Not Just a Matter of Aesthetics

We generally recommend gum line reshaping as a means of enhancing your smile, but the procedure also has practical, preventive benefits. Gingival overgrowth, which occurs as a side effect of certain medications or medical conditions, makes cleaning the teeth more difficult. By removing this excess tissue, we enable you to brush and floss more thoroughly, making your teeth healthier and more beautiful.

Contouring doesn’t always mean removing tissue, though. Sometimes it’s necessary to add tissue. This is often the case in patients who have advanced periodontal disease. Gum disease causes the tissue to pull away from teeth, making the teeth appear longer. Your dentist may recommend grafting tissue to the area. This helps facilitate healing and repair of your badly damaged gums.

Questions about gum contouring? To learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Shrewsbury, MA, or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, contact us at (508) 842-6356. We welcome residents of Shrewsbury, Westborough, Boylston, Hopkinton, Millbury, and the surrounding areas.