Cosmetic dentistry is becoming increasingly popular throughout the country. Although there are many practices and procedures that are well known to the public at large – veneers, for example – there are still many procedures that go unnoticed. Throughout the course of this brief article, you will learn about a few of the lesser-known cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Gingivectomy
Gingivectomy was originally a procedure performed for a health-related purpose. Namely, it was procedure in which unhealthy gum tissue was completely removed from the mouth so that healthy tissue could grow in its place. Today, people are generally more orally healthy, so decaying gums are much less common. However, the procedure of gingivectomy is still used by those that are practicing cosmetic dentistry. During this procedure, excess gum tissue is removed from people who believe that their smile is too "gummy" and that they have small teeth.
Gum Contouring
Much like gingivectomy, gum contouring is a procedure that relies on modifying the current landscape of your gums. However, unlike gingivectomy, it doesn't necessarily rely on removing gum tissue. There are people who believe that their smiles are either too "gummy" or that their teeth are too big. During the process of gum contouring, or gum shaping, a cosmetic dentist will alter the state of your smile by peeling or raising the gum tissue over the teeth, or thinning the gum tissue out and bringing it down over the teeth. The former will give your teeth a larger appearance, while the latter will make teeth appear a bit smaller than their current state.
Gum Depigmentation
This is a procedure that is rarely performed due to the fact that very few people suffer from the malady that this procedure aims to rectify. Gum depigmentation is a process that removes pockets and deposits of melanin that are present in your gums. Melanin is essentially the element that darkens your skin and, when present in your gums, can give them a darker hue. Melanin can also easily carry gingivitis, which can be quite detrimental to the health of your gums.
Cosmetic dentists perform a number of procedures that can improve the aesthetics of your teeth and gums. Hopefully, this brief guide has given you some idea of just a few of the things that a cosmetic dentist can do for you. For more information, speak to a dentist from an office like Pike Lake Dental Center.
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