Your gums frame your smile, so when they sit too high or too low on your teeth, it can change how your whole smile looks and feels. At Oso Marguerite Dental, we offer gum lift and recontouring along with gum grafting to help bring your smile back into balance.
A gum lift gently reshapes extra gum tissue that can make teeth look short or uneven. Gum grafting adds tissue where gums have pulled back, helping protect tooth roots that can be more prone to sensitivity, decay, and gum disease. Gum changes can happen for many reasons, including genetics, teeth grinding, brushing habits, and overall gum health.
While these treatments can refresh the look of your smile, they’re often part of caring for your oral health, too. Gum reshaping is frequently done alongside pocket reduction, crown lengthening, or other treatments that help gums heal and stay healthy.
What to Expect During Your Gum Lift
Our team performs gum procedures right here in our office, using tools like dental lasers and radiosurgery to shape tissue with precision. Your comfort comes first, and we’ll involve you in every step of your plan.
Before we begin, your dentist will explain exactly what will happen. We may outline your new gum line with a marker so you can see how your smile will change before any work is done. In some cases, a small amount of bone near the tooth root is gently reshaped to support your new gum line. We’ll numb the area with local anesthetic, and most procedures take about two hours.
If you’ve been looking for a dentist near Mission Viejo, CA, who can take care of your gums in one familiar office, we’re happy to walk you through your options.
After the Procedure
You’ll head home with clear care instructions, and our team is just a phone call away if questions come up. Most patients get back to their usual routine soon after treatment, though gums can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to fully heal. Tenderness is usually mild and varies from person to person. These simple steps can help:
• Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers can ease tenderness. Ask your dentist which one is right for you, since some, like aspirin, can increase bleeding.
• Soft foods: Yogurt, eggs, pasta, steamed vegetables, and ice cream are gentle on healing gums while still keeping you nourished.
• Gentle cleaning: Brush softly with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse with warm salt water or the rinse your dentist recommends.
If you notice a lot of swelling or bleeding, call us right away. Once in a while, a small touch-up may be needed to fine-tune your results, and we’ll guide you through it if so.
Whether you live in Mission Viejo or you’ve been searching for a dentist near Laguna Hills or Ladera Ranch, CA, our team is here to support you through every step of healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What causes a gummy smile?
A gummy smile can happen for several reasons. Some people naturally have extra gum tissue, or their gums didn’t fully pull back as their adult teeth came in. The shape and movement of the upper lip can play a role, too. The good news is that gummy smile treatment can be tailored to whatever is behind yours, and we’ll help you understand your options.
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Will a gum lift alone fix my smile?
Sometimes, yes. Other times, pairing a gum lift with porcelain veneers or crowns helps you get the look you’re hoping for. We’ll talk through every option with you during your consultation at Oso Marguerite Dental.
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Is a gum lift procedure painful?
We numb the area with local anesthetic, so most patients feel little more than light pressure during treatment. Some tenderness afterward is normal and usually eases within a few days.
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I am still not sure whether or not a gum lift is the right choice for me. What should I do next?
That’s completely okay. The easiest next step is a consultation, where we’ll look at your smile, answer your questions, and help you decide if a gum lift fits your goals. If you’ve been searching for gum re-contouring near me or a trusted dentist around Orange County, CA, call Oso Marguerite Dental at (949) 682-3535 to schedule your visit.
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How long does it take to heal after a gum lift?
Most people feel back to normal within a few days, and gums typically finish healing over the next few weeks. Healing time can vary depending on the type of procedure and how much tissue is reshaped. Following your care instructions and calling us if anything feels off will help everything heal smoothly.
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What’s the difference between gum contouring and crown lengthening?
Gum contouring reshapes your gum tissue to even out your gum line and show more of your teeth, usually for a more balanced smile. Crown lengthening goes a step further by also reshaping a small amount of bone, often to expose more of a tooth so it can support a crown or filling. Both can be done in our office, and we’ll help you understand which one fits your needs.
