Laser gum contouring in Dhahran
Removal of excess gum tissue and reshaping of the gum margin with a dental laser, performed by oral and dental surgeon Dr. Ziyad Abdulkarim after an examination has established why the gum shows.
In short
Laser gum contouring removes excess gum tissue and reshapes the gum margin, and is often used to treat a gummy smile when excess tissue is the cause. At Dr. Binyahya Dental Clinic in Hajer District, Dhahran, it is performed with a dental laser by Dr. Ziyad Abdulkarim, an oral and dental surgeon with about 20 years of experience, who decides after an examination whether it is suitable for the case.
Front teeth can look short or uneven even when they are healthy. In many cases the cause is gum tissue that covers more of the tooth than usual, or a gum line whose height varies from one tooth to the next. When a clear band of gum shows above the upper teeth on smiling, the condition is called a “gummy smile”.
The treatment consists of removing the excess tissue and reshaping the gum margin. A laser is used because it works precisely on soft tissue and helps limit bleeding, so the margin stays clearly visible to the dentist while it is being shaped. Recovery may also be quicker and more comfortable in many cases, although this varies between patients.
At the clinic the procedure is carried out by Dr. Ziyad Abdulkarim, an oral and dental surgeon with about 20 years of experience whose areas of work include laser gum surgery, fixed prosthetics and veneers. When a case needs both the gums and the teeth treated, he sets out one plan that fixes the order of the two procedures and the interval between them.
Not every gummy smile is caused by excess gum tissue. The cause may be an upper lip that lifts higher than usual on smiling, the shape of the jaw, or the position of the teeth. Each cause has a different treatment, and trimming the gum does not help with some of them. The dentist therefore starts with an examination to establish the cause before any tissue is removed, and the procedure is not advised when excess tissue is not the cause. Any gum inflammation is usually treated before contouring.
Laser gum care
Treatment at the clinic
Contouring with a dental laser
The procedure is done with the clinic’s dental laser, which works precisely on gum tissue and helps limit bleeding during the session, so the gum margin stays clearly visible to the dentist while it is shaped.
Performed by an oral and dental surgeon
The procedure is carried out by Dr. Ziyad Abdulkarim, an oral and dental surgeon with about 20 years of experience whose areas of work include laser gum surgery.
Gums and veneers planned together
Dr. Ziyad Abdulkarim has designed more than 1,000 veneers, so where a case needs both procedures, the gum line and the shape of the teeth can be planned within a single treatment plan.
Identifying the cause before treatment
Gum showing on smiling may come from an upper lip that lifts higher than usual, the shape of the jaw or the position of the teeth, rather than from excess tissue. The dentist distinguishes between these causes at the examination, because trimming the gum does not help with all of them.
Nitrous-oxide (laughing-gas) sedation
Laughing-gas sedation is available at the clinic alongside the local anaesthetic. The patient stays awake throughout, and the dentist decides after the examination whether it is suitable, according to the patient’s health and level of anxiety.
When is this treatment advised?
- A clear band of gum showing above the upper teeth on smiling (a “gummy smile”), when excess gum tissue is the cause.
- Teeth that look short because the gum covers part of the crown.
- An uneven gum line across the front teeth.
- Overgrown gum tissue, which can occur with some medications or after orthodontic treatment.
- Preparing the gum margins before veneers or front crowns, when the dentist judges it necessary.
Treatment steps
- 1
Examination and diagnosis
The dentist examines the gums and teeth and how much of them shows on smiling, to confirm that excess tissue is the cause, and may take an X-ray if needed.
- 2
Planning the new gum line
The dentist sets the height and shape of the gum margin at each tooth and explains the expected result, and its limits, before starting.
- 3
Local anaesthesia
The procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic, and the dentist checks that it has taken effect before starting.
- 4
Contouring with the laser
The dentist removes the excess tissue and shapes the gum margin with the laser. The session is usually short, and its length depends on the number of teeth involved.
- 5
Aftercare instructions and follow-up
The dentist explains how to care for the area in the first few days and books a follow-up visit to check that the gum is healing.
Who performs this treatment
Aftercare instructions
- For the first few days, eat soft, lukewarm food and avoid spicy, acidic and hard foods, which can irritate the gum while it heals.
- Brush gently with a soft brush around the treated area, so it stays clean without injuring the healing gum, and follow the dentist’s instructions on rinsing.
- Avoid smoking for the first few days, as it can slow gum healing.
- Mild sensitivity or discomfort for a few days is possible; the dentist prescribes a suitable pain reliever if needed.
- Contact the clinic on 0538588580 if bleeding continues, or if swelling or pain increases after the first few days, so the dentist can assess the area.
Frequently asked questions
Does laser gum contouring hurt?
What is a gummy smile, and how is it treated?
How long does laser gum contouring take, and when does the gum heal?
Can the gum grow back after contouring?
Can gum contouring be combined with veneers or whitening?
How much does laser gum contouring cost?
Related services
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