Correct a Gummy Smile or Uneven Gum Line with Laser Gum Surgery

What Is Gum Surgery?

Gums are intended to frame the base of your teeth to create a balanced smile. During laser gum surgery, the imbalanced or infected gum tissue is trimmed to reveal a straighter, healthier smile. Traditional gum surgery requires local anesthesia, a scalpel, stitches, and a long recovery. There is also a higher risk for infection with traditional surgery. 

In recent years, with the introduction of laser dentistry, gum surgery can now be performed using a small handheld device, providing more efficient results and a faster recovery. At Jersey City Dental, our dentists use a WaterLase® laser. This device uses a combination of water and laser energy for an overall more comfortable treatment. WaterLase® technology is able to cauterize and seal the tissue simultaneously in order to conserve healthy tissue and eliminate the need for stitches, thus reducing your risk for complications. 

In recent years, with the introduction of laser dentistry, gum surgery can now be performed using a small handheld device, providing more efficient results and a faster recovery.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

The best candidates for laser gum surgery include patients who are unhappy with their smiles due to:

• Excess gum tissue
• An uneven gum line
• Short, stubby teeth
• Periodontal disease

Gum Surgery for Cosmetic Reasons

Some patents desire gum surgery for cosmetic reasons, such as excess gum tissue revealing what is known as a “gummy smile” or an uneven gum line resulting in an imbalanced smile. If you have excess gum tissue, your teeth appear short, or you have a crooked gum line causing your straight teeth to appear crooked, we can perform laser gum surgery to create a balanced, enhanced smile. Gum surgery is sometimes combined with porcelain veneers, dental bonding, or teeth whitening to further enhance your results.

Gum Surgery for Periodontal Disease

Gum surgery is also used to treat periodontal disease, a bacterial infection within the gum tissue. If this gum infection goes unaddressed, it can lead to severe pain, tooth loss, and bone deterioration, as well as other systemic issues, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. 

Using a specific wavelength on the WaterLase®, the dentist can target the diseased tissue and bacteria from the periodontal pockets without damaging nearby healthy tissue. Compared to traditional periodontal surgeries, patients can enjoy a more comfortable procedure with greater precision, less bleeding, and a faster recovery.

Benefits of Laser Gum Surgery

Laser gum surgery provides many benefits, including:

• Minimally invasive treatment
• Improved comfort
• Better precision
• Less bleeding and lower risk for infection
• Faster procedure and recovery
• Fewer office visits
• Healthy tissue regeneration
• Higher satisfaction rating

Contact Jersey City Dental Today

If you are unhappy with your smile due to excess or unhealthy gum tissue, you may benefit greatly from laser gum surgery. Send us a message or call our practice at (201) 332-0403 to schedule your consultation and learn more about WaterLase® technology.