In the same way that a gold gilding showcases a painter’s masterwork, Nashville dentist Dr. Forbes likes to think of the gum line as a frame for the natural artwork that is your smile and likes to improve your smile with laser recontouring.
Our high-tech, state-of-the-art dental lasers allow Dr. Forbes to reshape the gums for a more attractive smile. The dental laser has replaced the scalpel for most aesthetic procedures and is a virtually painless treatment.
Whether you live in the greater Nashville area or are a visitor to our city, when you want to find out more about laser-gum contouring and the many ways that lasers have replaced the dentist’s drill and scalpel, please contact the Center for Advanced Dentistry online or call us at (615) 383-6787 to book an appointment with Dr. Forbes.
How Gums Help Make Your Smile Attractive
Although you probably think of your teeth when you think of what makes your smile attractive, your gums have an important part to play, too. Your gums should:
- Balance your teeth to create proper smile proportion
- Create a line that mirrors the cusps of your teeth
- Be a healthy color and shape–not swollen
- Fill in the area around the bases of your teeth without leaving “black triangles”
Gum contouring primarily addresses the top two cosmetic goals. The second two are related to gum disease and receding gums, something we hope to counter with preventive dentistry.
Many people are unhappy with what is described as a “gummy smile,” when they show too much gum tissue compared to the amount of tooth they show. If this is how you feel, we will evaluate your smile to determine whether you really do have excess gum tissue. If so, then we will remove some to establish the proportions you desire. If you just have naturally short teeth, we might recommend an alternative like porcelain veneers to build up your teeth to create the proper proportions.
A similar analysis governs how we approach an uneven gum line. If your gum line is uneven, it can make your teeth appear crooked, even if they are actually straight. When we look at the line of your gums, we can determine if you will benefit from gum recontouring or if porcelain veneers, orthodontics, or another procedure might get you the results you desire.
Nothing to Fear from Laser Gum Recontouring
Do not let a “gummy smile” keep you from expressing confidence and poise. While a certain amount of gum tissue protects your teeth, excess gum tissue fails to provide your smile with additional protection–it just prevents you from having a balanced smile.
Dr. Forbes can contour your gum tissue with a painless laser treatment that will provide you with a full, radiant smile. He has extensive training in laser dentistry and can give you the smile you deserve.
Our lasers promote faster healing and minimize post-treatment discomfort.
For patients who have a history of anxious dentist-office visits, the laser also creates a more soothing treatment option because it can be used instead of a noisy, vibrating drill. This translates into a more comfortable, secure experience for you.
To find out more about laser-gum contouring and the many ways that lasers have replaced the dentist’s drill and scalpel to create a more soothing and comfortable patient experience, please contact Nashville’s Center for Advanced Dentistry online or call us at (615) 383-6787 to book an appointment with Dr. Forbes.