Woman holding coffee cup with one hand and hiding smile with the other

Gum Contouring

Excessive gum tissue can greatly affect the appearance of your teeth, leaving you self-conscious. Using laser gum contouring, Dr. John Starr at Golden Triangle Periodontal Center can improve the look of your gumline.  See how our periodontal practice in Columbus and Starkville, MS, uses the latest techniques to give patients a balanced and healthy smile.  

What Is Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring is a cosmetic procedure that reshapes a patient's gumline. During treatment, Dr. Starr will gently remove excess gum tissue so that your teeth and smile are more aesthetically pleasing.

A gummy smile, uneven gumlines, and teeth that look short or crooked can all be addressed with gum contouring at our Columbus and Starkville, MS, dental offices.

Before and After Gum Contouring Surgery

After undergoing gum contouring at Golden Triangle Periodontal Center, patients have reshaped gumlines and more symmetrical smiles. 

Before and after gum contouring

The Benefits of Laser Gum Contouring 

Reshaping your gums through cosmetic treatment at our Columbus or Starkville, MS, dentist's offices has numerous benefits, including:

Fast Procedure

Reshaping your gums is generally completed in a single visit lasting one to two hours. Though you should take it easy on the day of surgery, you can return to work the day after your procedure. 

Minimal Discomfort

A local anesthetic is used to thoroughly numb the treatment area for this procedure. Sedation dentistry is also available for patients who have dental anxiety or difficulty sitting still. 

Fast Recovery

The laser used during the procedure cauterizes the gums while it removes excess tissue, meaning less risk of side effects and infection. Patients may experience some swelling and bleeding, but should expect to completely heal from treatment in about a week. 

Enhance Your Smile  At Golden Triangle Periodontal Center

Reshaping your gums at our Columbus or Starkville, MS, periodontal offices will leave you with a more balanced smile and better cosmetic results.

Too much gum tissue can make a tooth look uneven and affect the aesthetics of your smile. But gum contouring is far from the only way we can help your smile. As a periodontist, Dr. Starr has advanced training in dental procedures like dental implant placement and treating gum disease

Whether you have a gummy smile, need dental implants, or suffer from gum disease, Dr. Starr can perform a treatment that will enhance your smile. Request a consultation online or call:

(626) 329-2696

Office exterior

Praise From Our Patients 

"Great place with a wonderful staff." Kathy Huffman

Low Pain and Risk

Although having gum tissue removed by laser may sound painful and scary, patients report feeling minimal pain. Dr. Starr uses modern technology that allows him to provide treatment quickly and effectively, minimizing trauma to the gums. As a result, gum contouring is safe and has a low risk of infection or other complications. Recovery time from the procedure is relatively quick and side effects are easy to manage. 

What to Expect During Your Procedure 

When you undergo gum contouring at our dentist's office in Columbus or Starkville, MS, the cosmetic treatment process generally includes: 
We offer sedation dentistry to help relax patients who have dental anxiety or difficulty sitting still. 
We offer sedation dentistry to help relax patients who have dental anxiety or difficulty sitting still. 

Consultation

Before any patient undergoes the cosmetic procedure, Dr. Starr will make sure they're a good candidate for gum contouring. If you meet the requirements, Dr. Starr will schedule a date for your procedure. 

Anesthetic

Before removing excessive gum tissue with a laser, Dr. Starr will numb the treatment site with a local anesthetic. Sedation dentistry is available too, and can help patients who have dental anxiety or difficulty sitting still. 

Reshaping

Excess gum tissue is slowly and gently removed with a laser. Dr. Starr will take a conservative approach by removing the least amount of tissue necessary to make your teeth more proportional and aesthetically pleasing. 

Results 

Gum contouring usually only takes an hour or two to complete. Minor side effects like swelling and bleeding are common but should resolve within a few days. Dr. Starr will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your gums following your procedure. 

Aftercare Taking Care of Your Gums 

After your cosmetic procedure at our dentist's office, you will need to take some steps to help your gums recover. 

  • After your procedure, you should rest so your body can focus on healing. Your gums will feel sore and swollen following gum contouring. Over-the-counter medication is usually enough to manage any discomfort after your visit. 
  • Eat soft, cool food. For the first week after gum contouring, you should avoid eating spicy or hard foods as they can irritate the gums.
  • Maintain good oral hygiene. Your gums can be easily agitated while they heal, so be gentle while brushing and flossing. 

The gums usually take a week or less to heal after the procedure. If you're experiencing excessive bleeding or lingering pain, contact Dr. Starr. 

Paying for Treatment

Dr. Starr strives to make his treatments accessible to all patients. Golden Triangle Periodontal Center offers in-house financing plans with 0% interest and CareCredit® payments for qualifying patients

Our office accepts cash, checks, and most major credit cards. 

Don't let costs prevent you from having the smile of your dreams. Talk to Dr. Starr and his staff today to see what financing options are available to you. 

Woman in dental chair
"We had a very pleasant experience with Dr. Starr and all of his staff when he performed gum surgery on our son. He is very personable and made sure that our son was comfortable and understood exactly what he was going to do. Couldn't have asked for a better experience!"  Karen Fitch
John Starr D.M.D.

Golden Triangle Periodontal Center

Dr. John W. Starr Jr provides patients in Columbus and Starkville, MS, with exceptional periodontal care. Since 1989, Dr. Starr has performed thousands of successful dental implant procedures. Dr. John Starr is affiliated with national professional organizations including:

  • American Academy of Periodontology
  • American Dental Association
  • American College of Dentists

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us online or call (662) 329-2696.

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