Gummy Smiles & Laser Dentistry
If you show too much of your gums when you smile, then a very quick laser treatment may be all you need. This exciting treatment offers painless and inexpensive correction of your gums and mucosa.
What is a soft tissue laser?
A soft tissue laser is a purified and amplified light source which can be used to very gently remove unwanted gum and mucosa. It is so gentle that surgery done with these lasers removes the need for stitches and there is very little if any bleeding.
What is a soft tissue laser used for?
A soft tissue laser is used in the following procedures:
Frenectomy – the frenum (thin string of tissue) or muscular attachment that you feel above your two front teeth that connects your gum to your lip. Sometimes this can cause aesthetic concerns such a gap between your front teeth. A laser frenectomy can fix this problem by removing all or part of this tissue in as little as a 20 minute appointment.
Tongue tie – a congenital oral anomaly which decreases mobility of the tongue tip. It is caused by an unusually short, thick lingual frenulum: a membrane connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Using a laser allows a dentist to free the tongue of this tissue, immediately enabling full mobility.
Gum lift – if you show too much gum in your smile, this procedure can help by reshaping and raising the gum to create the appearance of longer and more symmetrical teeth. This procedure is also known as ‘crown lengthening’.
Granulomas and warts – many unwanted ‘bumps’ can be instantly removed without the need for scalpels or stitches.
Reducing tooth sensitivity – when sensitive toothpastes aren’t enough, lasers can be used to more permanently reduce tooth sensitivity.
Benefits
The main benefit of soft tissue lasers are:
Reduced need for anaesthetics (injections)
No use of scalpels or stitches means healing is much quicker and far less painful
Faster and more comfortable than traditional methods
Far less risk of infection
Cheaper than traditional methods