Laser Dentistry – justSMILE

The Importance of Regular Dental Check-ups

Written by Kyle on September 1, 2024. Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry, Laser Dentistry, Preventative Dentistry.

Regular dental check-ups are fundamental to maintaining oral health and overall well-being. These examinations are not merely about cleaning teeth; they are critical evaluations that can detect early signs of gum disease, cavities, and even systemic issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Dentists also utilise these sessions to educate patients on effective home care techniques and offer advice tailored to individual needs.

At justSMILE, we understand the importance of regular dental check-ups and are committed to providing our patients with comprehensive care to help them maintain optimal oral health. However, the implications of neglecting such appointments might not be as well-known beyond these immediate benefits, yet they are equally significant. Consider what might be at risk when regular dental visits are overlooked.

Key Takeaways

Regular dental check-ups detect early signs of decay and gum disease, allowing for timely intervention.
Professional cleanings during check-ups prevent plaque and tartar build-up, reducing the risk of gum disease.
Check-ups allow for the early detection of dental issues, leading to less invasive and more effective treatments.
Consistent dental visits provide valuable advice on maintaining oral hygiene and enhancing overall dental health.
Routine dental examinations can identify signs of other health problems, contributing to comprehensive health management.

Understanding Regular Dental Check-up

Understanding the scope of a regular dental check-up is essential for maintaining excellent oral health. At justSMILE, we educate our patients about the importance of regular dental check-ups and the role they play in preventing and detecting dental issues.

These check-ups identify cavities and gum disease and serve as preventive measures against more serious dental issues.

Beyond a Simple Check

A regular dental check-up goes beyond simple teeth cleaning. It involves a thorough examination that is essential for maintaining oral health. During these check-ups, dentists detect potential issues such as cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer early, saving patients from future discomfort and costly treatments.

Understanding the full scope of these examinations can help individuals appreciate the importance of maintaining consistent dental visits.

Comprehensive Examination

Regular dental check-ups typically include a thorough examination to assess teeth, gums, oral tissues, and overall oral health.

During these routine dental check-ups, your dentist conducts a detailed check-up, which is important for maintaining oral hygiene.

Regular check-ups help monitor potential issues and are essential to sustaining dental health.

Early Detection

Early detection of dental issues, a key component of regular dental check-ups, can greatly mitigate the progression of oral diseases.

Regular dental check-ups allow dentists to identify oral health issues early, serving as an essential preventive measure. By routinely checking during a check-up, dentists can address problems before they worsen, emphasising the importance of maintaining a consistent check-up schedule.

The Importance of Routine

Regular dental check-ups are essential in preventive care, serving as a fundamental strategy to maintain oral health and prevent future complications. These routine visits allow dentists to assess the ongoing condition of teeth and gums, ensuring that any emerging issues are addressed promptly.

Preventive Care

While many may overlook the necessity of scheduled dental visits, these preventive measures are essential for maintaining oral health. Regular dental check-ups serve as a safeguard against potential oral health problems.

They provide an important opportunity for your dentist to address any oral health issues early before they worsen. Regular check-ups guarantee your teeth are thoroughly checked and cared for by your dentist.

Maintaining a Healthy Smile

Understanding the importance of regular dental check-ups is fundamental to maintaining a healthy smile.

These visits enable dentists to detect early signs of tooth decay and gum disease. Regular cleanings remove plaque buildup, preventing cavities.

Additionally, dentists provide valuable advice on daily oral hygiene practices, ensuring optimal dental health.

Therefore, routine check-ups are essential for a long-lasting, healthy smile.

Benefits of Regular Dental Check-ups

Regular dental check-ups offer multiple benefits that enhance oral health and overall well-being. At justSMILE, these appointments are essential for early detection and treatment of dental issues, which can prevent more severe complications later on.

Also, maintaining excellent oral hygiene through professional cleanings and guidance can contribute to lasting dental health and boost confidence and peace of mind.

Early Detection and Treatment

Regular dental check-ups are crucial for early detection and treatment of dental issues. Dentists can identify problems like cavities or gum disease early on, allowing for less invasive treatments and better health outcomes. This proactive approach preserves oral health and prevents complications requiring complex interventions later on.

Routine dental check-ups are essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. Regular cleanings can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. Additionally, dentists can spot signs of other health problems, like oral cancer or diabetes, during these check-ups. By staying on top of your dental health, you can prevent more serious issues from developing and ensure a healthy smile for years to come.

Catching Problems Early

Identifying dental issues at an early stage through routine check-ups can greatly reduce more severe health complications later on. Regular screenings can spot early signs of cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer.

Early intervention means simpler, less invasive treatments, such as fillings instead of root canals and deep cleaning instead of surgical options, which preserve natural tooth structure and overall oral health.

Preventing Complications

Frequent dental check-ups are critical in preventing serious oral health complications. They enable early detection and treatment of potential issues.

Dentists can implement timely interventions by identifying problems such as cavities, gum disease, and early signs of oral cancer.

This proactive approach minimises the risk of severe outcomes, ensuring better oral health and reducing the need for more complex treatments later.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene

Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is a cornerstone of dental health, prominently featured in regular dental check-ups. These visits allow for professional cleaning, which removes plaque and tartar build-up that daily brushing and flossing might miss.

Additionally, dentists provide personalised guidance tailored to each patient’s specific oral health needs, enhancing their daily oral care routines.

Professional Cleaning

Professional cleaning, a cornerstone of dental health, effectively removes plaque and tartar that daily brushing and flossing might miss.

This process, performed by dental hygienists, involves scaling and root planing, which is essential for preventing gum disease and tooth decay. Additionally, it helps to polish and smooth the teeth, minimising future plaque accumulation and enhancing overall oral health without encroaching on areas better suited for personalised dental guidance.

Personalised Guidance

Beyond the benefits of professional cleaning, regular dental check-ups provide personalised guidance tailored to each patient’s unique oral health needs. Dentists assess individual risk factors for dental diseases, advise on preventive care, and recommend treatments specific to each patient’s condition.

This customised approach not only improves dental health but also educates patients on maintaining excellent oral hygiene practices at home.

Peace of Mind and Confidence

Regular dental check-ups offer substantial benefits beyond just maintaining oral hygiene. They also provide peace of mind and boost confidence. Knowing your oral health status can relieve anxiety about potential dental issues and reassure you that you are taking the right steps toward maintaining your dental health.

Achieving a brighter and healthier smile can greatly enhance self-esteem and social interactions.

Knowing Your Oral Health Status

Understanding your oral health status through routine dental examinations can greatly enhance your peace of mind and boost your confidence. Regular check-ups allow dentists to detect early signs of issues such as gum disease or cavities, which can be addressed promptly.

Knowing that you are taking proactive steps to maintain your oral health contributes to overall well-being and self-assurance, keeping you informed and reassured.

A Brighter and Healthier Smile

Adhering to a schedule of regular dental check-ups can result in a brighter and healthier smile. These visits allow dentists to perform professional cleanings, removing plaque and stains that daily brushing can miss.

Regular assessments also help identify early signs of decay or gum disease, ensuring timely intervention. This proactive care boosts your confidence and contributes to overall oral health.

Making Regular Dental Check-ups a Priority

Understanding the suggested frequency of dental visits is crucial. Establishing a consistent dental care routine is equally important. Choosing the right dentist is essential for optimal oral health.

These elements foster better dental hygiene and help in the early detection and treatment of potential oral issues. Integrating these practices into your healthcare regimen allows you to maintain excellent oral health and prevent future complications.

Recommended Frequency

Maintaining excellent oral health requires regular dental check-ups, generally recommended at least twice a year. However, these intervals can vary depending on individual dental health needs and specific risk factors.

Prioritising these appointments is essential for early detection and management of dental issues, ensuring a proactive approach to oral care.

Aim for Twice a Year

Dentists generally recommend scheduling dental check-ups at least twice yearly to maintain excellent oral health. Regular visits allow professionals to monitor dental hygiene progress, detect early signs of decay or gum disease, and provide essential cleanings or fluoride treatments.

These biannual appointments are vital for preventing more serious issues and ensuring long-term dental well-being, making them a fundamental practice in effective oral care management.

Individual Needs

While biannual check-ups are a general guideline, the specific frequency of dental visits can vary based on individual health needs and risk factors. Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes or those who smoke may require more frequent visits to manage potential oral health complications effectively.

Conversely, individuals with robust dental health might extend the interval between their check-ups after consulting with their dental care provider.

Creating a Dental Care Routine

Creating an effective dental care routine is fundamental in maintaining oral health and ensuring the effectiveness of regular dental check-ups.

Incorporating daily habits such as brushing and flossing, along with adhering to a diet that supports dental health, can markedly reduce the risk of dental problems.

These practices promote oral hygiene and act as preventive measures that complement the efforts made during dental visits.

Brushing and Flossing

Incorporating thorough brushing and flossing into your daily routine is essential for maintaining oral health and ensuring productive dental check-ups.

Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once helps remove plaque, preventing gum disease and tooth decay. These practices are foundational to dental hygiene and greatly reduce the likelihood of developing serious oral issues, optimising your dentist visits.

Healthy Diet

In addition to brushing and flossing, maintaining a healthy diet plays a significant role in promoting oral health and enhancing the effectiveness of regular dental check-ups.

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products provides essential nutrients that protect enamel and reduce the risk of cavities.

Limiting sugary and acidic foods can also prevent harmful bacteria growth, further safeguarding your dental hygiene.

Finding the Right Dentist

Selecting the right dentist is essential for maintaining dental health and ensuring comfortable and regular check-ups. Factors such as the dentist’s location and availability can greatly impact your ability to keep consistent appointments.

Additionally, it is advisable to consider reviews and recommendations and seek services from clinics like us here at justSMILE, which offer thorough general dentistry, including regular check-ups.

Consider Location and Availability

Choosing a conveniently located dentist with flexible scheduling options can greatly enhance your ability to maintain regular dental check-ups. Proximity to your home or work minimises travel time, making it easier to attend appointments.

Flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, or weekends, can accommodate various schedules, ensuring dental care fits seamlessly into your busy life without significant disruptions.

Reviews and Recommendations

After considering the practical aspects of location and availability, evaluating a dentist based on reviews and recommendations is equally important. Patients’ feedback reflects real experiences, providing insights into the dentist’s expertise, bedside manner, and office environment.

A consistently positive review pattern can be a reliable indicator of quality care. Hence, prioritising these can guide you in selecting a trustworthy dental provider.

justSMILE provides General Dentistry Services That Includes Regular Dental Check-ups

At justSMILE, we provide thorough general dentistry services, including regular dental check-ups, to guarantee your oral health is meticulously maintained.

Our experienced dentists use the latest techniques and technology to perform detailed examinations, ensuring every aspect of your dental health is assessed and cared for.

Prioritising regular check-ups at justSMILE is essential for maintaining excellent oral hygiene and preventing future dental issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Expect During a Regular Dental Check-up?

During a regular dental check-up, your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination of your teeth, gums, and mouth. This may include X-rays, oral cancer screening, and a thorough cleaning by a dental hygienist.

How Often Should I Schedule a Dental Check-up?

The general recommendation is to schedule a dental check-up every six months. However, the frequency may vary depending on your individual oral health needs and risk factors. Consult with your dentist to determine the optimal schedule for you.

Can Regular Dental Check-ups Help Prevent Bad Breath?

Yes, regular dental check-ups can help prevent bad breath by addressing underlying causes such as gum disease, tooth decay, or poor oral hygiene. Your dentist can provide professional cleanings and advice on maintaining fresh breath.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe During Regular Check-ups?

Dental X-rays are generally safe when performed as part of regular check-ups. Modern digital X-rays use minimal radiation, and dentists take precautions to limit exposure. However, inform your dentist if you are pregnant or have specific concerns.

How Can I Prepare for a Dental Check-up?

To prepare for a dental check-up, brush and floss your teeth thoroughly beforehand. Make a list of any questions or concerns you have about your oral health to discuss with your dentist. If you have dental insurance, bring your insurance card and any relevant information.

Aesthetic Laser Dentistry: Transforming Your Smile With Advanced Technology

Written by justSMILE on August 1, 2024. Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry, Laser Dentistry.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of dental medicine, Aesthetic Laser Dentistry has emerged as a cutting-edge solution to enhance the quality of dental care and patient satisfaction. This advanced technology, known for its precision and minimally invasive approach, elevates the aesthetic appeal of one’s smile and contributes greatly to overall oral health. The intriguing part is laser dentistry’s advantages, such as reduced bleeding, expedited healing, and increased patient comfort. Yet, one may question how these benefits translate into the actual clinical setting and what potential challenges may arise.

Unveiling the Power of Laser Dentistry: A Revolution in Dental Care

The revolutionary field of laser dentistry has fundamentally transformed dental care, offering numerous advantages over traditional methods. Key among these are its precision and minimal invasiveness, which drastically reduce bleeding and accelerate healing times. Additionally, its enhanced comfort during procedures significantly reduces patient anxiety, making for a more pleasant overall experience.

Precision and Minimal Invasiveness

Harnessing the power of laser technology in dentistry has greatly elevated the precision and reduced invasiveness of various dental procedures, revolutionizing dental care. Aesthetic laser dentistry stands at the forefront of this transformation, offering a spectrum of benefits:

Precision: The laser allows the dentist to perform procedures with unparalleled accuracy, preserving more healthy tooth structure.
Aesthetics: Laser dentistry enhances the cosmetic aspects, ensuring aesthetic outcomes that align with patients’ expectations.
Minimal Invasiveness: Laser technology promotes less invasive procedures, reducing patient anxiety and discomfort.

Consequently, aesthetic laser dentistry redefines standards in cosmetic dentistry, advancing from traditional, more invasive techniques to modern, minimally invasive cosmetic laser dentistry.

Reduced Bleeding and Faster Healing

Beyond the benefits of precision and minimal invasiveness, aesthetic laser dentistry also greatly reduces bleeding and accelerates healing, making it a favorable choice in dental care.

The laser’s high-energy light beam aids in clotting exposed blood vessels, leading to less bleeding during and after procedures. Reduced bleeding contributes greatly to quicker healing times; a vital element of successful dental surgeries.

Moreover, the sterilizing effect of the laser minimizes bacterial infections, promoting faster tissue regeneration and healing. The aesthetic laser’s unique ability to control bleeding and promote healing sets it apart in dentistry.

It underscores how aesthetic laser dentistry transforms dental procedures and recovery, ensuring a more comfortable, efficient, and successful treatment experience.

Enhanced Comfort and Reduced Anxiety

In the world of dental care, aesthetic laser dentistry greatly improves patient comfort and reduces anxiety, transforming the traditional dental experience. This modern approach offers unprecedented advantages, radically changing perceptions of dental procedures.

Painless Procedures: Laser dentistry often eliminates the need for anesthesia, making procedures virtually pain-free. This is particularly beneficial for needle-phobic patients.
Reduced Anxiety: The intimidating noise and vibration associated with conventional drills are replaced by the quiet, gentle touch of lasers, greatly reducing anxiety levels.
Faster Recovery: Laser dentistry minimizes swelling and discomfort during recovery, promoting a smooth, less stressful healing process.

Applications of Aesthetic Laser Dentistry

Aesthetic laser dentistry has revolutionized various aspects of dental care, introducing a range of applications that transform smiles. Some of these applications include:

Gum reshaping or gingivectomy
Frenectomy
Teeth whitening
Cavity removal

These procedures, performed using advanced laser technology, offer precise, efficient, and minimally invasive solutions to common dental issues.

Gum Reshaping (Gingivectomy)

Transforming the contours of the gum line, gum reshaping, or gingivectomy is a notable application of aesthetic laser dentistry. This procedure corrects abnormalities or deformities in the gum line, contributing to a more symmetric and appealing smile.

The process involves:

Administering local anesthesia to numb the area.
Using a laser to remove or reshape excessive gum tissue carefully.
Dressing the treated area with a protective substance to facilitate healing.

The laser promotes instant coagulation, reducing bleeding and swelling. It also minimizes discomfort and shortens the recovery period. With the precision of lasers, dentists can achieve highly accurate results, offering patients improved oral aesthetics and enhanced self-confidence.

Frenectomy

Another notable application of aesthetic laser dentistry is the procedure known as a frenectomy. This procedure is performed to correct conditions where the frenum, a small fold of tissue that prevents an organ in the body from moving too far, is excessively large or improperly positioned.

In oral health, this typically involves the tissue connecting the upper or lower lip to the gum line or the tissue linking the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Using a laser, dentists can perform a frenectomy with great precision, reducing discomfort and promoting faster healing.

This procedure can greatly improve oral function and appearance, especially in cases of a tongue-tie or a lip-tie, providing a lasting solution to these dental anomalies.

Cavity Removal

The transformative power of aesthetic laser dentistry extends beyond teeth whitening and offers an advanced approach to cavity removal. This cutting-edge technology allows dentists to remove decayed tooth matter with precise control, reducing the risk of damaging healthy surrounding tissues. The laser effectively evaporates the decay, leaving a clean and sterile environment for filling.

Laser cavity removal is less invasive than traditional drilling, often minimizing pain and discomfort. Moreover, the absence of mechanical vibrations and noise reduces the anxiety often associated with dental procedures. It also preserves more of the natural tooth structure. This advanced technique transforms the dental experience, making cavity removal less intimidating.

A healthier and more appealing smile is now within easier reach through aesthetic laser dentistry.

Beyond Aesthetics: Functional Benefits of Laser Dentistry

While aesthetic transformations are a significant aspect of laser dentistry, there are also remarkable functional benefits. These advantages extend to the treatment of gum disease and improved biocompatibility, among others, highlighting the integral role laser dentistry plays in holistic oral health.

Treatment of Gum Disease

Employing laser technology in dentistry offers aesthetic improvements and functional benefits, particularly in the effective treatment of gum disease. This advanced method provides a non-invasive approach, targeting and eradicating bacteria that cause inflammation and infection without damaging surrounding healthy tissues.

The benefits of laser treatment for gum disease are manifold:

Precision: The laser can distinguish diseased tissues from healthy ones, ensuring that only infected areas are treated, thereby reducing potential damage to healthy gums.
Less Pain and Discomfort: Compared to traditional methods, laser procedures often result in less pain and bleeding, making the recovery process easier.
Reduced Risk of Infection: Lasers sterilize the treatment area, greatly lowering the probability of post-procedure infections.

Improved Biocompatibility

In addition to enhancing aesthetics, laser dentistry greatly improves biocompatibility, guaranteeing the body’s positive response to dental treatments. Applying lasers in dental procedures minimizes trauma, lessening the risk of infection or rejection. It promotes a more natural and healthier interaction between dental materials and the body’s tissues, fostering a conducive environment for healing.

Laser treatments are particularly beneficial in implant dentistry, where biocompatibility is critical. The precision offered by lasers allows for minimal disruption to surrounding tissues, resulting in a more favorable biological response. With improved biocompatibility, patients experience less discomfort and faster recovery times, demonstrating that the benefits of laser dentistry extend far beyond aesthetics.

Consulting with a Cosmetic Dentist: Choosing the Right Expert

Choosing a qualified cosmetic dentist is crucial when contemplating aesthetic laser dentistry.

The right expert brings a wealth of expertise and experience and offers personalized treatment plans tailored to achieve your desired smile aesthetics.

At justSMILE, we provide these essential elements of aesthetic laser dentistry to guarantee your smile transformation is carried out with precision and care.

Expertise and Experience

As you contemplate the transformative potential of aesthetic laser dentistry, consulting with a seasoned cosmetic dentist helps to guarantee the right expertise and experience to guide your journey toward a radiant smile. This decision involves several key considerations:

Qualifications: Ensure your chosen dentist has the necessary credentials and specialized training in aesthetic laser dentistry.
Experience: Seek out a professional with substantial and varied experience in the field. The more procedures they’ve performed, the better they can address your unique needs.
Reputation: Go through reviews and testimonials from previous patients to assess their satisfaction level with the dentist’s work.

Expertise and experience are crucial in achieving the desired aesthetic results while maintaining oral health.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Crafting a personalized treatment plan is the next essential step after selecting an experienced cosmetic dentist with expertise in aesthetic laser dentistry. This individualized approach is paramount in addressing unique dental issues and achieving the best results.

A thorough dental examination is performed to understand the patient’s current health status. The dentist then discusses the patient’s aesthetic goals and evaluates their suitability for laser dentistry. Factors such as dental health, oral hygiene, and lifestyle are considered.

The final treatment plan is not a one-size-fits-all solution but is carefully tailored to meet the patient’s specific needs and expectations. This meticulous planning ensures that each patient receives the most effective and appropriate treatment, leading to more satisfactory results and an improved smile.

Achieving Your Desired Smile Aesthetics

To achieve your desired smile aesthetics, selecting the right expert in cosmetic dentistry is an important decision that demands careful consideration. Your chosen specialist should possess certain key qualities to provide excellent outcomes.

Experience: The dentist must have extensive experience in aesthetic laser dentistry to guarantee they have honed their skills and can handle all types of cases.
Qualifications: They should have the necessary educational background and certifications to perform laser procedures safely and effectively.
Patient Satisfaction: Look for a professional with high patient satisfaction ratings, as this often indicates the level of care and results.

These factors will assist you in choosing a dentist who can transform your smile, enhancing your aesthetics and confidence.

justSMILE Offers Aesthetic Laser Dentistry

Among the leading providers of aesthetic laser dentistry, justSMILE excels in guaranteeing smiles with precision and effectiveness. This renowned practice uses state-of-the-art technology and offers a wide range of cosmetic dentistry procedures designed to enhance dental aesthetics and resolve common issues. Whether it be teeth whitening, gum contouring, or veneer application, justSMILE ensures each treatment is tailored to the patient’s specific needs.

Their team of skilled cosmetic dentists is committed to achieving the best possible outcome, focusing on minimally invasive methods. With justSMILE, the journey towards a stunning, confident smile is not just about improving aesthetics but about promoting excellent oral health. Patients are guided every step of the way, making the process as comfortable and reassuring as possible.

Final Thoughts

In summary, through advanced technology, aesthetic laser dentistry transforms dental care by providing minimally invasive procedures with precise results. Not only does it enhance the aesthetic appeal of smiles, but it also offers functional benefits like reduced bleeding and quicker healing times. This technological revolution in dentistry promotes better oral health and confidence in smile aesthetics.

How to Fix a Gummy Smile With Gum Contouring

Written by justSMILE on August 1, 2022. Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, Laser Dentistry.

Did you know that one out of four people in Australia is self-conscious because of their smiles? Some people are so embarrassed by how their teeth and gums look that they may try to keep themselves from smiling or laughing. This, of course, is no way to live, and no one should ever be ashamed of their smile, and that’s why dental procedures exist.

Gum contouring is an especially important procedure for those who suffer from gummy smiles. What is a gummy smile, you might ask? A gummy smile, also known as excessive gingival display, is when a large amount of your gums show when you smile.

This can make your smile look “gummy.” But why does a gummy smile happen in the first place, and what can cosmetic dentistry do to fix this problem? Keep reading and learn all about the science behind gummy smiles with this gum contouring guide.

Why Do Gummy Smiles Happen Exactly?

There is no exact definition for a gummy smile, but a person generally has a gummy smile of a large portion of his or her gums show when smiling, usually on the upper jaw. This does not necessarily mean that you have excess gingiva. Rather, your smile may appear gummy depending on the length of your teeth, the way your lips move when you smile, and the position of your jaw.

If around 4 mm or more of gingiva shows when you smile, this can be considered a gummy smile. Anything less than 3 mm of gingiva is usually not considered a gummy smile. This kind of smile can cause people a lot of problems with their self-esteem.

Unlike other dental problems, brushing and flossing your teeth won’t fix your gummy smile. But why does this type of smile occur in the first place? It usually has to do with genetic factors.

For example, if your parents or siblings have gummy smiles, it is likely that you will also have a smile of this type. The problem may have something to do with how your teeth grew in. If you have particularly long teeth, this means that your teeth overerupted when they first came in.

When this happens, the gum line often follows the length of the teeth and continues to grow along with them. This increases the length of the gum line and can often result in a gummy smile. This is especially common if your gums covered a significant amount of your adult teeth when they first erupted.

Causes of Gummy Smiles

The more of your teeth the gums cover, the more substantial the gingiva tends to be later on. However, a gummy smile may also result from excessive bone growth. The maxilla is the bone of your upper jaw.

Again, due to genetics, some people experience excessive growth in this bone. If this bone becomes unusually lengthy, your gums will grow to cover the bone, and this can lead to a gummy smile. In rare cases, some medications can cause gummy smiles as well.

For example, some anti-seizure medications cause a problem known as gingival hyperplasia. This is when your gums start to grow excessively around your teeth. If you think this is the case with your gummy smile, it is important to stop taking that medication and get dental treatment as soon as possible.

Gingival hyperplasia often leads to periodontal disease, which can be dangerous since it can lead to tooth loss if untreated. In the case of normal gummy smiles caused by genetic factors, you might be wondering if there is anything you can do to fix the problem. There are many treatment options to choose from, but one of the most effective is gum contouring.

What You Need to Know About Gum Contouring

Gum contouring is also known as gingival sculpting. Its aim is to reduce the appearance of your gums so that you no longer have a gummy smile. This is possible by removing some of the gingivae at the tops of your teeth.

However, in some cases, gum contouring may also be used to restore gum tissue if you are suffering from receding gums. Most of the time, gum contouring is not necessary as a medical procedure. Only in rare cases such as periodontal disease may this be considered a medical procedure.

In that case, your dentist would use gum contouring to remove diseased gum tissue. This can prevent periodontal disease from getting any worse. However, it is usually done for cosmetic reasons.

For that reason, it is not covered by dental insurance, and you will have to pay for it out of your own pocket. Gum contouring is always conducted by a specialist who is familiar with gums and their importance to your overall dental health. This is important because if you get too much of your gingiva removed, you could suffer from exposed dental roots or experience tooth sensitivity as a result.

But when done properly, you should not need to worry about any dental problems, and you should be free of your gummy smile. But what should you expect from this kind of procedure, you might ask?

The Details

The first thing you should know is that your dentist (usually a cosmetic dentist or a periodontist) will use a special laser or a scalpel to cut away your excess gingiva.

This may sound like a painful and serious procedure, but it is actually quite painless and straightforward. Before you go in for this procedure, you will first need to consult with your dentist and discuss what kind of results you’re hoping to achieve from this procedure. Your dentist will also give you some pointers and tell you what is realistically achievable with gum contouring.

Once your consultation is over, you’ll need to make an appointment for the gum contouring procedure. There is not much preparation needed for this procedure, but your teeth should be clean when you go in for the appointment.

Understanding the Gum Contouring Procedure

You only need one appointment for this procedure, and it is typically performed in your dentist’s office. You will be awake for the duration of the procedure, but keep in mind that you should not feel any pain. This is because your dentist will give you a local anaesthetic.

This will numb the treatment area. If anything, you might feel some pressure in the treatment area, but not pain. There are two ways of proceeding with the procedure: a laser or a scalpel.

When using a scalpel, the dentist will carefully cut away the excess gingiva around your teeth. This will expose a larger amount of your teeth without exposing the roots of the teeth. When using a scalpel, sutures will be necessary to close the cut portions of the gums.

These sutures will either dissolve on their own after a certain period of time, or your dentist will remove them at a later time. When using a laser, sutures are not usually necessary. This is because the laser will cauterize the treatment area and close the cut portions of the gingiva.

Using a laser is often preferred by many dentists today for many reasons. Namely, using a laser speeds up the healing process and also reduces the chance of infection. This is because the heat of the laser burns away any bacteria in the treatment area.

It also reduces bleeding due to its cauterizing effect. Your dentist will work to reshape your gums and secure them around the tops of your teeth. That way, when the gums start to heal, they will heal in the right position.

What You Need to Know

This new position will reduce the appearance of the gummy smile you originally had. The length of the entire procedure will depend on a variety of factors. Usually, it lasts between one and two hours.

If you have a lot of gum to work with, the procedure may take even longer. The cost of the procedure can also vary depending on how much of your gingiva you are getting treated. For example, if you are only treating excess gum growth on one tooth, you may only need to pay a few hundred dollars.

On the other hand, if you want to cut away the excess gingiva for your entire top row of teeth, you may end up spending a few thousand dollars instead. It is not usually more than $3,000 to do this.

Again, because this is typically a cosmetic procedure, dental insurance will not cover it, and you will have to pay for the procedure yourself. However, if you need to get this procedure done for medical reasons such as for treating periodontal disease, it may be possible to get your dental insurance to cover it.

Once the procedure is done, you can go home and resume your life. However, you will need to take special care of your gums until they heal.

How to Recover From Gum Contouring

The recovery time for gum contouring can vary between a few days to a few weeks. The length of the recovery period will depend on how much gingiva you had removed. The more gingiva you removed, the longer you will need to recover, and this is especially true if you treated multiple teeth at once.

In the days following the procedure, you will notice that your gums will be red, tender, and swollen. These are all normal side effects, and you shouldn’t worry about them as they will go away on their own. However, if you think you are experiencing unusually severe swelling or pain, you should consult with your doctor as you may have contracted an infection.

If your dentist treated your gums with a laser, an infection will not be very likely. For the first few days, you will want to avoid anything that may irritate your gums, such as hard foods. For that reason, eating soft foods such as soup or yoghurt will be a good idea.

Your dentist will have likely given you some advice on how to recover from this procedure and which foods you should avoid until your gums start to heal. After about a week, you will need to return to your dentist for a follow-up appointment.

This will give your dentist a chance to look over your gums and make sure they’re healing properly.

The Healing Process

Your dentist can also check if there are any signs of an infection. Your dentist will likely you prescribe you an antibiotic to take while you heal.

This will reduce your risk of infection. This is important because an infection could ruin the recovery process and, in some cases, it could be dangerous to your overall health. For a few days after the procedure, your gums may also hurt, especially once the local anaesthetic wears off.

To treat this pain, it will be a good idea to use some OTC pain medication. Eating cold foods or holding an ice pack against your mouth will also help since the cold can help numb the pain and reduce any swelling you may have. After about a week, your gums should be mostly healed, and you can admire the results of the gum contouring procedure.

All About Gum Contouring

Gum contouring is a procedure designed to treat gummy smiles. A gummy smile is a smile that displays excess gingiva. This usually occurs due to genetic factors.

Gum contouring works by cutting away this excess gingiva and revealing more of the teeth underneath. This can be very beneficial to those who are embarrassed by their gummy smiles. To learn more about treating this dental problem with gum contouring, don’t hesitate to contact us here.

Virtually Pain Free Dentist Sydney

Written by justSMILE on January 6, 2015. Posted in General Dentistry, Laser Dentistry.

Are you looking for a pain free dentist in Sydney?

Here at Just Smile, Dr Rammo has a range of different pain and anxiety relief options to help you feel at ease about your visit.

Helping you feel comfortable during your first appointment

To ease you into your first appointment we will work together to ensure your waiting time is minimal, and we will take the time to listen to your dental concerns prior to any sort of treatment. We help patients with dental anxiety from all over Sydney including Kogarah, Hurstville, Rockdale and the Sutherland Shire.

Communication is a fundamental part of our practice. We will endeavour to pay attention to your personal needs at all times, keeping conscious of any signs that you may be feeling uncomfortable or afraid. During your visits we will do our best to help you relax and feel ok with the situation.

If you feel as if you could be a patient that suffers from dental anxiety, when you make an enquiry or book an appointment with us, simply let us know and we will be especially sensitive about your needs.

Practicing virtually pain free dentistry here in the Sydney suburb of Ramsgate

With have a few different options to provide pain free dental appointments:

Gentle dispensing methods of local anaesthetic
Nitrous oxide sedation options (happy gas)
Virtually painless laser dentistry
Compassionate dental care

During your visit we will walk you through the different options that you can choose from for your treatment.

No dental drill at Just Smile

Some patients are concerned about the sensations associated with the dental drill such as vibrations or heat. Here at Just Smile we have invested in laser technology so your treatment can potentially go by without vibrations or drilling noises. Laser technology can also be used to seal the gums, stop bleeding and remove bacteria from your smile.

Mentally preparing yourself for your appointment

To help you feel calm before your appointment, we suggest dabbing some lavender on your temples. Avoid self-medicating with alcohol or prescription medications so that you keep your body clean. Bring things that may comfort you. If you have a wheat bag or an MP3 player feel free to bring it along with you if you feel it may calm you down.

Sound like a dental practice that you would like to visit?

If you have any worries about your treatment, we encourage you to let one of our team members know if you feel you may need some extra time and attention during your care. We are more than happy to assist you in any way we can to ensure your comfort, and will take the time to explain the dental treatments in detail with you.

Book an appointment with Dr Rammo at justSMILE in Ramsgate Beach, Sydney and enjoy a calming and gentle experience.

Dental Drill vs Laser Dentistry: What’s the Difference?

Written by justSMILE on August 13, 2014. Posted in Laser Dentistry.

Hate the idea of a dental drill?

justSMILE in Ramsgate Beach offers laser dentistry for patients who are looking for an appropriate and safe alternative.

Used as a method to not only ease anxiety about dental drills, laser dentistry can provide an alternative that has the ability to reduce the post-operative side effects such as discomfort and swelling that can be associated with dental drills.

How laser dentistry can help you

Laser dentistry can be used for a variety of different treatments. Often offering a more comfortable and precise treatment solution, our laser technology avoids the discomfort from heat and vibration that is generally associated with a dental drill.

Most commonly, laser dentistry is used for:

Tooth restoration
Root canal therapy
Gummy smiles
Periodontal (gum) disease

Depending on your required treatment, laser dentistry could be the more efficient and effective technique for your treatment needs.

Dental drill and the hard tissue laser – how the treatments differ

Traditionally for tooth restorations, a dental drill would most likely be used to carefully remove the decay and debris from the damaged tooth. This usually involves some vibrations which can cause the tooth’s natural structure to weaken. By using a dental laser instead, the decay is removed without uncomfortable vibrating and is even generally able to skip the need for numbing (unless requested).

Lasers are also able to reduce sensitivity for those with sensitive teeth and are the most efficient way of completely removing the bacteria from the tooth. Particularly this comes in handy for cases like root canal therapy – where the tooth is filled with infected pulp that requires removal. During the restoration process, the laser can also help the restoration to harden or “cure” further speeding up the treatment processing time.

The benefits of using a laser instead of a dental drill include:

Reduced treatment time
Fewer visits to the dentist
No high pitched drilling noise
Protection against tooth decay
Treatment is more comfortable
Generally no numbing required
Less damage to tooth’s structure

Not only are lasers able to offer a more comfortable alternative to the dental drill, they can also help with a variety of soft tissue problems.

The benefits of a soft tissue laser

Lasers provide the most hygienic method of clearing away bacteria for patients with conditions such as periodontal disease and other bacterial infections that are residing in the soft tissues in the mouth.

A soft tissue laser is able to perform procedures with little to no bleeding as the technology both treats and seals the soft tissues – reducing the healing time for the patient.

Do you have a gummy smile?

A soft tissue laser can help with this cosmetic treatment as well! By combining dentofacial aesthetics and laser dentistry, we can contour your gums to reduce excess gum tissue virtually painlessly. The healing time is minimized due to the fact that the laser seals the tissues and the results are noticeable within the fortnight.

To find out more about how laser dentistry can provide you with a more comfortable treatment, take a look at our latest video below!

Sound like the right treatment for you? Book a consultation with Dr Rammo at justSMILE in Ramsgate Beach today.

Laser Gum Reduction: From Gummy Smile to Yummy Mummy

Written by justSMILE on April 1, 2014. Posted in Laser Dentistry.

justSMILE can perform a gum reduction procedure with a dental laser so you don’t have to feel self-conscious about your smile any longer.

Gummy smiles are smiles where there is too much gum grown over the teeth. This is generally a hereditary condition that can be easily solved with laser gum removal. This procedure is great as it uses dental technology that does not require any incisions whatsoever. There is also little to no bleeding as the procedure simultaneously reduces tissue while healing the impact point of the laser. We also muscle relaxant injections in order to minimise the reaction of the upper lip when you smile. For some people this can make their lips appear fuller while also minimising the amount of gum shown. This can be used in conjunction with or by itself to treat a gummy smile.

At justSMILE, helping you feel confident with your smile is our priority. It’s up to you to decide what about your smile you would like to change (if anything) and we would love to help if you do decide you would like to receive cosmetic treatment for any problem areas. We believe that everyone’s smile is beautiful and unique although there are some principles that can help us perform our laser gummy smile procedure.

Proportions of your teeth and smile

While everyone’s smile is different there are some basic rules of proportion that can help determine your best smile. Take a look at the diagram below to see what is generally considered ‘the perfect smile’ in terms of teeth exposure.

If you’re asking ‘how much teeth should be shown’ then the rule (as shown above) is generally decreasing the length of the tooth by 25% each time. So therefore the length of each tooth towards the back of the mouth should be 75% of the one before it. The average length of the two front teeth – and the starting point of our measurement – is 8.5mm to 9.5mm. For some people with a gummy smile this can be significantly smaller as the tooth will appear to be shorter due to the overgrown gum tissue. In some cases this can make the teeth look stubby and can make your smile look gummy.

Are exposed gums a problem?

Gums that are exposed when you are smiling are not a health problem nor do they have any negative impacts on your body. People choose to sculpt their gums or have their gums reduced because they feel uncomfortable and nervous about how much gum shows when they smile. This is not necessarily true for everyone, although most people do eventually want to decrease the amount of gum shown.

There’s no age limit for fixing your gummy smile!

No matter what age you are you can always improve your smile. If you are 30 years or older and want to improve your smile by reducing a gummy smile or even just receiving cosmetic treatment then justSMILE in Ramsgate Beach can help you. Our cosmetic laser can be used to reduce gum tissue and expose more of your teeth for a more balanced smile.

Will my gummy smile treatment look natural?

The gum tissue heals absolutely normally which means no one will be able to notice that your gums have been altered (apart from the improved smile). The only problem which can occur – particularly with individuals over 30 is discolouration contrast. If you drink a lot of tea and coffee then it is likely that the exposed part of your tooth before treatment may be discoloured compared to the newly exposed tooth. If this happens then Dr Rammo at justSMILE can help even out the colour of your teeth for a flawless finish to your gummy smile treatment.

Say goodbye to your gummy smile today!