Gum Contouring Cost
Patients who suffer from an uneven gum line, periodontal disease, or a gummy smile may benefit from gum contouring. Gum contouring is often used in conjunction with other restorative procedures such as veneers or crowns to make sure your results are perfect. Your general dentist may offer gum contouring but if they do not, they will refer you to a periodontist for treatment. Whoever performs your procedure will have you come in for an evaluation and discuss your concerns and desired results. At this evaluation, they will provide you with an estimate of cost and time involved.
How is gum contouring done?
Gum contouring is done under local anesthesia which is administered with a small shot to the area being treated. Once the area is sufficiently numb, the doctor will use a soft tissue laser or scalpel to remove excess gum tissue or to reshape an uneven gum line. Gum contouring is also used to treat periodontal disease by reshaping the tissue in the affected area to help rid the gum pockets of plaque buildup.
The recovery time frame for gum contouring is about 10 days for a full recovery. Some patients are able to return to normal activities within a week if they allow their body to rest and follow their doctor's post op instructions. Your post op instructions will include what foods you can and can eat and how to care for your surgery site until it heals. You will also be given a prescription for an antibiotic to prevent infection.
Cost Of Gum Contouring
Your overall cost of gum contouring will depend on how many teeth are involved. During your evaluation, you and your dentist will determine which teeth need to be contoured and they will give you an estimate for your cost of treatment. Gum contouring ranges from $50 to $350 per tooth. If you are having all of your anterior teeth done at one time, you can expect to pay between $1000 and $3000.
Additional Costs
You may incur additional fees if your teeth are being treated with a restorative procedure. Bonding and fillings cost between $150 and $750 per tooth and crowns and veneers can tack on another $500 to $2000 per tooth.
Financial Arrangements
If you have dental insurance, it may cover some of the cost of gum contouring if your treatment is considered medically necessary. A gummy smile or uneven gum line is typically considered a cosmetic procedure and most insurance companies will not cover any of the cost but if you have periodontal disease, gum contouring is considered a medically necessary treatment so your insurance may deflect some of the cost for you.
Some dental offices offer in-house financing which would allow you to make payments on a monthly basis to pay for your treatment. Some also may work with a third-party financing company.
If you need or want gum contouring, speak with your dentist to see if you are a candidate.