A gum lift can be described as a cosmetic procedure whose main aim is to reshape the gums so as to achieve a pleasing smile. In a majority of gum lift process, some individuals have gum that has not receded after growth of the permanent tooth while in other cases; an individual can have a smile that shows a lot of gum. The following overview of gum lift procedure – why you need it will shed more light on this
Gum lift procedure and why you need it.
As mentioned earlier, a gum lift is a type of dental surgery whose main is to reshape the gum line. Also known as gingivectomy, it is most commonly performed for cosmetic purposes but can also be done when fixing a tooth or to treat gum diseases. There is a range of reasons why people prefer to undergo gum lift procedure. Below are some of the most common reasons;
Cosmetic purposes
When performed for cosmetic purposes, the procedure’s primary goal is to eliminate a gummy smile and in turn replace it with a more natural looking smile
Fixing a tooth
In some instances, a dentist might need to perform this medical procedure so as to be able to position a crown or filling correctly
What should you expect?
Before performing the procedure, a dentist usually takes an x-ray of the patient’s mouth so as to get a clear picture of the kind of procedure to be performed. Before the procedure is carried out, patients are asked to have tooth cleaning so as to minimize the risk of infection
How is it performed?
The process usually takes 1 to 4 hours depending on the nature of the procedure. As a norm, a patient is first given local anesthesia after which the dentist carries out the process. The gum line is reshaped as per the preference of a patient after which a special putty is applied over the gum line so as to protect it while it heals. Some small stitches can also be used depending on the nature of the procedure.
Gum disease treatment
In gum diseases treatment, a gum lift is usually performed to expose diseased tissue to that is then removed. When it comes to cost, this process is relatively cheap when compared to other types of dental procedures.