Gum lift surgery is a type of periodontal surgery often done of improving the esthetics of a gummy smile. It also has other purposes, one of which is increasing the crown height of a tooth to be restored. Learning more about this procedure is a must if plan to undergo the operation. Here are some of the most frequently-asked questions about gum lift surgery.
How is gum lift surgery done?
Gum lift surgery involves cutting off excess gum tissue, usually the gum edge. The cutting instrument can be a surgical knife or laser. Some dentist may also suggest that some bone is removed proportionately to achieve a more permanent result. After the surgery, your dentist will put sutures which will have to be removed after a week. If you have no time for suture removal, you may ask your dentist to use resorbable sutures instead.
Is gum lift surgery painful?
Your dentist will administer local anesthesia, so you should not feel any pain. The effect of the anesthetic drug should last for the entire duration of the procedure, which is usually around two to three hours. Although local anesthesia is enough to keep gum lift surgery pain-free, there are still dentists who prefer using sedation to make the patient more comfortable. Discuss with your dentist if your case is suitable or indicated for sedation.
How many appointments are required for gum lift surgery?
The surgery itself takes only one visit, but follow-up visit is required to monitor tissue healing. The number of follow-up visit depends on several factors, the most important of which is the patient’s general health.
What are the complications of gum lift surgery?
Like any invasive procedure, gum lift surgery also has its fair share of complications. However, since it is a minor surgery, these complications aren’t as severe as what you would expect from normal surgery. After the operation, there will be some discomfort but this isn’t anything that mild pain medications can’t manage. This discomfort is often due to the swelling of the area rather from the cut or surgical wound itself. Interestingly, however, most patients report numbness of the surgical area instead of pain or discomfort. There may also be slight tooth sensitivity, although it tends to go away on its own after a few days.
To avoid complications it is advised that you get enough bed rest and avoid doing any strenuous activity throughout the day. Take all the medications prescribed by your dentist and follow the recommended diet. Resume any physical activity on the fourth day following gum lift surgery.
When can I resume my normal daily routine?
Patients are able to resume all normal daily activities about four days after gum lift surgery. However, workouts should be postponed until after day 9.
Will I need any restorations after gum lift surgery?
Not necessarily. If gum lift surgery was done only to correct a gummy smile, then restorations won’t be necessary. But it may also depend on other factors such as the current condition of your teeth, as well as how much gum tissue will have to be reduced. If your case is one that requires drastic improvement, then a combination of gum lift surgery and restorative work is often the best solution.
Can a general dentist perform gum lift surgery?
Gum lift surgery is a relatively minor surgery that can be performed on an outpatient basis. It can be done by a general dentist, so long as he or she has the skills and experience required for the procedure. One dentist that you can trust with your gum lift surgery is Dr. Safarian, who is considered one an high-qualified smile makeover dentist.