“You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life”-Coco Chanel

As the famous fashion designer Coco Chanel said in the quote above, you can be beautiful and happy no matter your age or stage in life. In this article, we’ll show you how you can combat the effects of aging with gingival contouring. Gingival contouring is also known as gum contouring. We’ll also go over 3 of the things that you should know about this type of cosmetic dentistry.

Gingival Contouring-What Is It?

Gum contouring is when your gums are shaped for a better smile. For example, if you have gums that protrude, then gingival contouring will reshape your gums so that your gums are standing out so much. On the other hand, if your gums have receded, this type of contouring will restore your gums so that the teeth aren’t as prominent. 

Now that you have a basic understanding of what gum contouring is, here are 3 things that you should know about it. 

1. The process of gum contouring 

The process of gingival contouring is based on the goal that you’re trying to achieve. Each goal will require a specific procedure. As we mentioned before, if you’re gums are too prominent, then your orthodontist will remove some of the gums. On the reverse, if you’re gums are receding, then the orthodontics will restore some of your gum tissue. To do both procedures, an orthodontic might use lasers or other tools. 

At Bailey Orthodontics, we use laser gingival contouring to achieve the look that you want. Laser gingival contouring is the latest and most advanced way of recontouring. gums. This means unlike the traditional method of cutting and stitching the gums, the laser gingival contouring is less painful and more efficient. We’ll say more about this in the benefits section of this article. 

When you come into our office for a consultation, we’ll also go over what specific procedure we’ll need to do to get the beautiful and healthy smile that you want. 

2. The benefits of gingival contouring 

There are many benefits of gingival contouring. Here are some of those benefits:

• Laser gingival treatment can protect and restore the health of your gums. If your gums are unhealthy and need better treatment, then laser gingival treatment can remove the tartar and other issues associated with the gums. 
• Gum contouring can help your smile and the look of your teeth. For example, if you’re feeling embarrassed to smile because you feel like your gums are too noticeable, then a laser gingival contouring can help with this issue. 
• Laser gingival contouring is less painful than traditional gum contouring. With laser gum contouring, there’s no cutting and stitching involved. Instead, your orthodontist will use a laser to achieve the best results. 
• Laser gingival contouring is easier to recover from. After getting laser gingival contouring, you can go back to doing your daily activities within the same day of the treatment. That’s because patients typically recover quickly from laser gum contouring. 

3. The safety of gingival contouring

Gum contouring is very safe and very effective. Because Bailey Orthodontics uses the latest technology to contour your teeth, gingival contouring tends to be less painful and harmful than traditional gum contouring. 

Bailey Orthodontics: Advanced Orthodontics for the 21st Century

At Bailey Orthodontics, we use the latest technology and research to achieve the look and outcome that you want. If you’re in the state of Utah, we can help answer your questions and concerns regarding your teeth and gums. 

Reach out to us at 801-292-122 for a consultation with one of our amazing orthodontists. During your consultation, your orthodontist will address any questions or concerns that you may have. 

Surgical orthodontics is sometimes necessary for severe cases. In these situations, surgery is necessary to restore the health of the smile. Most cases won’t require surgery to resolve, but it may occasionally be necessary. Our experts can help to determine whether you need surgical orthodontics or not in order to protect your smile. Here are a few signs that you need surgical orthodontics.

What is Surgical Orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics is also referred to as orthognathic surgery. It is generally used to correct particularly severe cases of misalignment or to improve aesthetic appearance. Most situations won’t call for surgery, but if it is necessary, it can provide many benefits to the appearance and health of the smile. Our team can provide you with the ideal treatment plan for your smile.

Benefits of Surgical Orthodontics

There are several benefits to obtaining surgical orthodontics when necessary. It can improve an individual’s ability to chew their food, which can provide benefits to their digestion and comfort. The right orthodontic treatment can also help to improve speech patterns, which can further enhance confidence and social interactions. Individuals with particularly severe cases may even have difficulty breathing, which can be resolved through the use of surgical orthodontics. It may also improve aesthetic appearance when the jawbone is severely misaligned.

Who is a Candidate for Orthognathic Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery can only be used in particular and severe cases. It is important that the patients’ bones have stopped growing prior to implementing surgical orthodontics. Growth may resolve the underlying problem without the use of surgery. In addition, growth following surgical orthodontics can undo the work that has been done. Orthodontic treatment can begin before the jawbone has completely finished growing, but surgery should not be performed before this point. The jawbone usually stops growing for females around the age of 16 and males around the age of 18.

How Surgical Orthodontics Work

Surgical orthodontics is not an immediate fix to a misaligned smile. It is used in tandem with orthodontic treatment to fix malocclusions and misaligned teeth. Your orthodontist can guide you through the process of your particular surgery, including things such as recovery time and how to repair appropriately for the procedure.  

Signs that you Need Surgical Orthodontics

There are a few signs that may indicate the necessity of surgical orthodontics. However, it is important to be aware that only your orthodontist can tell you for certain whether you would benefit from surgical orthodontics or not. Some of these signs include TMJ pain, frequent headaches, sleep apnea, and severe cases of malocclusion. Traumatic jaw injuries may require surgery to rectify completely.

Ultimately, you will need a diagnosis from an orthodontist to determine if surgical orthodontics is necessary for your own particular situation. When you visit us at Bailey Orthodontics, we can help to come up with the appropriate treatment plan for your smile. Whether you need surgical orthodontics or basic orthodontic treatment, we can ensure that your needs are met. To learn more about determining if you need surgical orthodontics, contact us at Bailey Orthodontics today!