What is Gum Depigmentation?
A person’s gums might appear brown or black, rather than pink, for a few different reasons. The most common reason for the dark appearance of the gums is genetics. Other, less-common causes include side effects from some medications, smoking, or as a reaction to certain kinds of dental fillings. When caused by genetics, darker gums are more common in people with African or Middle Eastern ancestry and are not an indication of disease or dysfunction; they are simply the result of excess melanin that builds up in the gum tissue. Gum depigmentation is a procedure that lightens the gum tissue and makes it pink, which many patients prefer for aesthetic reasons.
Using lasers for gum depigmentation procedures, dentists can lighten the gum tissue. The laser gum depigmentation procedure, which is also called laser gum bleaching, involves removing a very thin, external layer of gum tissue by vaporizing it with lasers. This destroys the cells that create melanin, and, as new tissue grows in as the gums heal, the tissue tends to develop vibrant and pink, rather than black or brown. This treatment is usually performed with a local anesthetic and has a brief, manageable healing time. In some cases, it may take multiple sessions to fully achieve the desired results, depending on the depth of pigment and the desired level of gum tissue lightening.
Most patients with healthy gum tissue can safely undergo gum depigmentation treatment. Your dentist can assess your gum health and help determine if you might be a good candidate for gum depigmentation. The treatment is not appropriate for patients with active oral disease or gums that are darkened due to periodontal disease, and it is also not a good idea for patients who are taking blood thinner medications, as this could lead to excessive bleeding during depigmentation treatment. It is also not advisable for patients with thin gingival tissue or prominent tooth roots, as these patients are more likely to experience long-lasting sensitivity when layers of gum tissue are removed and the tooth roots are exposed.
While most patients can expect minimal discomfort or complications following a laser gum depigmentation treatment, patients with extremely sensitive gums might experience greater discomfort during recovery. In most cases, however, patients can eat and speak normally immediately following the gum depigmentation procedure, and healing is usually complete about two weeks after the procedure. Results can last as long as 20 years, if not an entire lifetime.
The gum depigmentation procedure takes under an hour and could be as brief as 20 minutes, depending on the depth of pigmentation and the size of the darkened area. Patients whose gums have darkened because of smoking should avoid smoking for at least a week following the procedure, ideally quitting entirely. If dark patches remain after the initial procedure, your dentist will assess the condition of the gums and may perform additional procedures until the desired results are achieved. If you avoid smiling or dislike your smile because of hyperpigmentation in your gums, know that you have options, and talk to your dentist to learn whether you’re a good candidate for gum depigmentation and can be on your way to a more confident smile.