Tooth and gum contouring

I had a patient who always thought she had short, stubby teeth, says McKenzie. "In reality, her gums had overgrown." Gum contouring revealed long, beautiful teeth. Although tooth contouring is used to file minor chips and to shape. most contouring takes place with the soft tissues, says McKenzie. Done under local anaesthetic, gum contouring may be performed with electrosurgery, blades or soft-tissues laser.

Prior to putting on veneers or crowns, some dentists prefer to balance the symmetry of the mouth or solve a "gummy smile" through gum contouring. Done in-office under local anaesthetic, healing takes about two to four weeks. More extensive cases may be referred to a periodontist(gum specialist).